lit. 

52  • ' 

620 


•r  ^ * 


T elegraphy 

Self-Taught 

A COMPLETE  MANUAL  OF  INSTRUCTION. 
CONTAINING  CHAPTERS  AND  LESSONS  ON 
TELEGRAPHY  IN  ALL  ITS  BRANCHES.  IN- 
CLUDING EASY  EXPERIMENTS  IN  ELECTRIC- 
ITY AND  MAGNETISM  WHICH  OPERATORS 
SHOULD  KNOW. 

BY 

THEO.  A.  EDISON,  M.  A. 

ILLUSTRATED 


Chicago 

Frederick  J.  Drake  & Company 

Publishers 


Copyright,  1902 

Frederick  J.  Drake  & Company 
Chicago. 


CONTENTS 


Abbreviations  135 

Alphabet  55 

Alphabetical  Lessons 55 

Battery 39 

Block  Signals 113 

Commercial  Messages 81 

Dash  Letters 55 

Dash,  with  Dots,  in  Succession.* 56 

Decimals 62 

Dot  and  Space  Letters 55 

Dot  Letters  . 55 

Dots  and  Dashes  in  Combinations 55 

Dots,  with  Dash,  in  Succession 56 

Duties  of  Line-Repair  Men 112 

Electricity  and  Magnetism 9 

Explanations  and  Directions 51 

• Fractions 65 

4 How  to  Count  the  Words  in  a Message 104 

t Instruction 103 

^ Key 44 

^ Letters  and  Numbers  Mixed 58 

^Morse  Code  49 

^Numbers 59 

^Numerals 56 

Office  Calls 81 


4 CONTENTS. 

Option  Months  150 

Order  of  Transmission 82 

Position  and  Movement 53 

Private  Lines  29 

Provision,  Grain  and  Stock  Abbreviations ....  151 

Punctuation  Marks  57 

Railroad  Rules  for  Telegraph  Operators 107 

Relay  . . .* 48 

Rules  for  the  Movement  of  Trains  by  Tele- 
graphic Orders  116 

Sentences i 75 

Sounder 46 

Student,  The  102 

Telegraph  Numerals  50 

Telegraph  Instruments  21 

Telegraph,  The  7 

Train  Order  Forms 123 

Words 67 


INTRODUCTION 


In  this  little  book  will  be  found  everything  that 
is  necessary  to  the  study  of  telegraphy.  Though 
telegraphy  is  essentially  a matter  of  practice,  it  has 
been  the  aim  of  the  author  to  present  to  those  who 
aspire  to  master  the  art  of  telegraphy  a book  treat- 
ing the  subject  in  as  concise  and  clear  a manner  as 
possible,  without  eliminating  anything  that  is  im- 
portant, and  without  putting  in  things  that  are  det- 
rimental, and  which  would  have  a tendency  to  con- 
fuse. 

The  book  contains  unsurpassed  essays  on  elec- 
tricity, illustrating  in  a simple  manner  how  it  is 
adapted  to  the  different  instruments,  and  its  func- 
tions as  applied  to  the  telegraph.  Cuts  of  instru- 
ments used  and  explanations  will  enable  the  learner 
to  easily  acquire  a practical  knowledge  that  will  be 
of  great  use  in  meeting  any  emergency. 

After  the  beginner  has  set  up  his  instruments  and 
mastered  the  first  ten  or  twelve  lessons,  he  should 
get  a partner-student,  and  they  should  work  to- 
gether. This  is  the  only  practical  way  that  will  en- 
able them  to  become  efficient  operators.  Criticism 
should  be  given  and  taken  in  a kindly  spirit.  The 
few  points  about  numbers,  decimals  and  fractions 
should  be  committed  to  memory.  Also  how  to  count 
the  words  in  a message,  abbreviations— in  fact, 
there  is  nothing  in  the  book  which  the  student 


6 


TEIiEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


should  not  learn  and  always  keep  in  mind.  When 
they  have  practiced  receiving  and  sending  words, 
sentences,  etc.,  until  they  can  easily  and  accurately 
receive  and  transmit,  they  should  commence  on  the 
messages. 

Accuracy,  not  speed,  is  the  first  requirement.  The 
student  should  sacrifice  any  desire  for  speed  until 
his  accuracy  is  beyond  dispute.  The  failure  of  a 
few  unsuccessful  students  is  due  to  the  fact  that 
they  did  not  give  proper  attention  to  the  first  few 
lessons.  Had  they  mastered  these,  failure  to  become 
efficient  operators  would  have  been  impossible. 

May,  1902. 


Theo.  a.  Edison. 


Telegraphy  Self=Taught 


THE  TELEGRAPH. 

The  word  telegraph^’  means  literally  ‘‘to  write 
afar  off.^’  That  is,  one  man  can  speak  to  another 
though  thousands  of  miles  intervene.  He  can  send 
his  thoughts  over  deserts,  through  forests,  over 
mountains  and  under  oceans.  But  in  order  to  do 
this  he  must  harness  an  unseen  force  called  elec- 
tricity. What  this  unseen  force  is  no  man  knows; 
but  he  does  know  to  a certain  extent  what  it  is  capa- 
ble of ; and,  accordingly,  he  uses  it  to  the  best  of 
his  knowledge  and  ability. 

Electricity  is  thus  defined  in  Webster’s  Interna- 
tional Dictionary : 

Electricity  means  a power  in  nature,  a manifesta- 
tion of  energy,  exhibiting  itself  when  in  disturbed 
equilibrium  or  in  activity  by  a circuit  movement, 
the  fact  of  direction  in  which  involves  polarity,  or 
opposition  of  properties  in  opposite  directions;  also, 
by  attraction  for  many  substances,  by  a law  involv- 
ing attraction  between  surfaces  of  unlike  polarity, 
and  repulsion  between  those  of  like ; by  exhibiting 
accumulated  polar  tension  when  the  circuit  is 
broken;  and  by  producing  heat,  light,  concussion, 
and  often  chemical  changes  when  the  circuit  passes 
between  the  poles  or  through  any  imperfectly  con- 
ducting substance  or  space.  It  is  generally  brought 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


into  action  by  any  disturbance  of  molecular  equilib- 
rium, whether  from  a chemical,  physical  or  mechan- 
ical cause. 

Electricity  is  manifested  under  the  following  dif- 
ferent forms:  (a)  Statical  electricity,  called  also 

frictional  or  common  electricity,  electricity  in  the 
condition  of  a stationary  charge,  in  which  the  dis- 
turbance is  produced  by  friction,  as  of  glass,  amber, 
etc.,  or  by  induction,  (b)  Dynamical  electricity, 
called  also  voltaic  electricity,  electricity  in  motion, 
or  as  a current  produced  by  chemical  decomposi- 
tion, as  by  means  of  a voltaic  battery,  or  by  mechan- 
ical action,  as  by  dynamo-electric  machines,  (c) 
Thermo-electricity,  in  which  the  disturbing  cause  is 
heat  (attended  possibly  with  some  chemical  action). 
It  is  developed  by  uniting  two  pieces  of  unlike 
metals  in  a bar,  and  then  heating  the  bar  unequally, 
(d)  Atmospheric  electricity,  any  condition  of  elec- 
trical disturbance  in  the  atmosphere  or  clouds,  due 
to  some  or  all  of  the  above  mentioned  causes,  (e) 
Magnetic  electricity,  electricity  developed  by  the 
action  of  magnets,  (f)  Positive  electricity,  the 
electricity  that  appears  at  the  positive  pole  or  anode 
of  a battery,  or  that  is  produced  by  friction  of 
glass,  called  also  vitreous  electricity,  (g)  Negative 
electricity,  the  electricity  that  appears  at  the  nega- 
tive pole  or  cathode,  or  is  produced  by  the  friction 
of  resinous  substances,  called  also  resinous  elec- 
tricity, (h)  Organic  electricity,  that  which  is  devel- 
oped in  organic  structures,  either  animal  or  vege- 
table, the  phrase  animal  electricity  being  much  more 
common. 


ELECTRICITY  AND  MAGNETISM 


9 


SOME  EASY  EXPERIMENTS  IN  ELECTRIC- 
ITY AND  MAGNETISM  WHICH  ALL 
OPERATORS  SHOULD  KNOW. 

The  first  knowledge  of  electricity  came  from  the 
fact  that  when  amber  was  rubbed  it  attracted  light 
particles.  This  was  discovered  by  the  Greeks,  and 
they  called  the  amber  electron.  You  may  prove 
this  by  taking  a piece  of  sealing-wax,  or  of  resin, 
or  a glass  rod,  and  by  rubbing  it  upon  a piece  of 
flannel  or  silk,  it  will  be  found  to  have  acquired  a 
property  which  it  did  not  previously  possess: 
namely,  the  power  of  attracting  to  itself  such  light 
bodies  as  dust,  or  bits  of  paper,  etc.  Although  a 
large  number  of  substances  possess  this  property, 
amber  and  jet  were  the  only  two  in  which  its  ex- 
istence had  been  recognized  by  the  ancients,  or  even 
down  to  so  late  a date  as  the  time  of  Queen  Eliza- 
beth. About  the  year  1600,  Dr.  Gilbert  of  Col- 
chester discovered  by  experiment  that  not  only 
amber  and  jet,  but  a very  large  number  of  sub- 
stances, such  as  diamond,  sapphire,  rock-crystal, 
glass,  sulphur,  sealing-wax,  resin,  etc.,  which  he 
styled  electrics,  possess  the  same  property.  Ever 
since  his  time  the  name  electricity  has  been  em- 
ployed to  denote  the  agency  at  work  in  producing 
these  phenomena. 

A good  way  to  observe  the  attracting  force  is  to 
employ  a small  ball  of  elder  pith,  or  of  cork,  hung 
by  a fine  thread  from  a support,  as  shown  in  Fig.  1. 


10 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


A dry  warm  glass  tube,  excited  by  rubbing  it 
briskly  with  a silk  handkerchief,  will  attract  the 
pith  ball  strongly,  showing  that  it  is  highly  electri- 
fied. 

Immediately  when  touching  the  glass  tube  the 
pith  ball  acquires  an  electric  charge  and  is  at  once 
repelled  by  the  tube.  Should  the  ball  be  ap- 
proached by  a piece  of  resin  previously  rubbed 
with  silk  it  will  be  attracted.  This  shows  that  the 
electricity  produced  by  rubbing  resin  with  silk  is 


of  a different  character  than  that  which  is  pro- 
duced by  rubbing  glass  with  silk. 

This  experiment  shows  that  there  are  two  kinds 
of  electricity,  viz : Positive  electricity  and  Negative 
electricity.  In  rubbing  one  body  with  another, 
both  bodies  become  charged  with  electricity  of  an 
opposite  character;  that  is  to  say,  if  a piece  of 
glass  is  rubbed  with  a piece  of  wool  or  silk,  if  the 
wool  or  silk  receives  the  positive  charge  the  glass 
will  receive  the  negative  charge. 


ELECTRICITY  AND  MAGNETISM 


11 


Opposite  conditions  of  electricity  attract  one 
another,  and  although  electricity  cannot  flow 
through  glass  it  can  act  across  it  by  induction. 
For  example : placing  a plate  of  glass  between  two 
pith  balls,  one  being  electrifled  positively,  the 
other  negatively,  will  not  interfere  with  their  at- 
tracting or  repelling  one  another,  although  the  elec- 
tric charges  cannot  pass  through  the  glass.  On 
this  principle  was  invented  the  Leyden  jar,  and 
other  condensers.  The  Leyden  jar  was  accident- 
ally discovered  by  Musschenbroek,  and  his  pupil 
Cuneus,  in  the  town  of  Leyden,  from  which  it  de- 
rives its  name.  It  usually  consists  of  a glass  jar 
on  which  is  pasted  two  coatings  of  tin-foil,  one  on 
the  inside,  and  one  on  the  outside,  the  coating  cov- 
ering the  jar  three-fourths  of  its  length.  Electric 
connection  is  made  by  a chain,  or  a flexible  wire 
hanging  into  the  jar  from  a brass  rod,  which  may 
be  supported  by  a wooden  cover  to  the  jar,  to 
which  the  rod  is  fixed.  A brass  knob  is  attached  to 
the  top  of  the  rod.  To  charge  the  jar,  it  is  neces- 
sary to  hold  or  connect  this  knob  to  the  prime  con- 
ductor of  an  electrical  machine;  the  outer  coating 
being  either  held  in  the  hand,  or  connected  to  the 
earth  by  a wire.  The  jar  can  be  easily  charged  in 
a few  minutes  in  this  way,  and  if  made  of  good 
glass,  kept  dry  and  free  from  dirt  will  retain  its 
charge  for  many  hours.  The  jar  may  be  discharged 
by  holding  it  in  one  hand  by  the  outer  coating  and 
touching  the  brass  knob  by  the  other  hand.  The 
person  so  doing  will  see  a bright  spark  pass  be- 


12 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


tween  the  knob  and  the  hand,  making  a sharp  re- 
port, and  at  the  same  time  giving  the  person  a con- 
vulsive shock. 

A very  simple  Leyden  jar  can  be  made  in  the 
following  manner,  and  was  the  original  experiment 
of  Musschenbroek  and  his  pupil : Take  a glass  bot- 

tle, fill  it  two-thirds  full  of  water,  make  a hole 
through  the  cork  and  push  through  it  a long  nail, 
so  that  it  hangs  low  into  the  water,  when  the  cork 
is  in  the  bottle.  This  jar  can  be  charged  like  the 
modern  Leyden  jar,  and  in  the  same  way,  the  water 
acting  as  the  inner  coating  and  the  hand  as  the 
outer.  When  the  jar  is  charged,  it  can  be  dis- 
charged by  holding  it  in  one  hand  and  touching 
the  top  of  the  nail  with  the  other.  Thin  glass  has  a 
greater  capacity  as  an  accumulator  than  thick 
glass,  but  if  the  glass  should  be  too  thin,  the  jar 
will  be  liable  to  be  destroyed  by  the  spark  of  a pow- 
erful charge  actually  piercing  it.  A powerful  bat- 
tery may  be  made  of  Leyden  jars  by  connecting  a 
number  of  them  together  by  thin  inner  coatings; 
then  also  uniting  their  outer  coatings.  Care  should 
however  be  taken  in  discharging  this  battery  of 
Leyden  jars,  by  using  a pair  of  discharging  tongs, 
as  a shock  from  such  a battery  might  prove  fatal. 
The  discharging  tongs  is  an  arrangement  consist- 
ing of  a brass  rod  with  two  brass  knobs,  and  insu- 
lated from  the  hand  by  a glass  handle.  The  elec- 
tric discharge  we  see  during  a thunder  shower  is 
the  same  kind  of  so-called  electricity. 

Electricity  is  often  found  in  belts,  running  pul- 


EliECTRICITY  AND  MAGNETISM 


13 


leys  and  shafting  in  factories.  Placing  your  fin- 
ger, or  hand,  or  what  is  better,  holding  a piece  of 
copper  near  a large  belt  which  is  running  shafting, 
you  will  hear  a cracking  sound  and  sometimes  re- 
ceive a perceptible  shock.  The  writer  has  seen 
enough  electricity  collected  on  wires  from  large 
belts  to  light  coal  gas.  This  experiment  is  more 
successful  in  cold  weather.  Quite  a quantity  of 
frictional  electricity  is  developed  in  cylinder  print- 
ing presses  when  moving  at  full  speed,  which  elec- 
trifies the  paper  so  that  the  sheets  will  stick  to- 
gether quite  firmly,  and  should  you  pull  them  apart 
the  same  crackling  sound  spoken  of  in  regard  to 
the  belt  is  heard,  and  the  person  separating  them 
will  sometimes  receive  quite  a shock. 

Electricity  can  also  be  obtained  by  joining  two 
dissimilar  metals  by  soldering,  and  then  heating 
their  points  of  contact.  The  same  result  may  be 
obtained  by  lowering  the  temperature  at  the  point 
of  contact.  For  example,  the  metals  joined,  may 
be  copper  and  iron  or  bismuth  and  antimony. 
There  are  a number  of  other  metals  which  if  joined 
together  in  the  same  way  here  described  will  pro- 
duce Thermo-Electricity. 

A very  pretty  experiment  showing  ^‘molecular 
bombardment^’  and  the  aurora”  may  be  made  by 
rubbing  an  incandescent  lamp  on  the  clothing,  or 
on  paper,  leather,  sheet  rubber  or  tin  foil,  when 
the  bulb  will  become  filled  with  light;  if  you  stop 
it  grows  dark.  If  touched  with  the  finger,  the  fila- 
ment and  the  interior  will  be  a bright  glow,  lasting 


14 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


from  one  to  three  seconds;  if  touched  again  it  is 
repeated,  by  drumming  or  drawing  the  finger 
slowly  over  the  glass  the  light  is  quite  continuous. 
If  rubbed  on  a newspaper  in  an  absolutely  dark 
room,  the  larger  letters  can  be  read  at  a dis- 
tance of  two  to  three  inches.  Fan  the  bulb  with 
sheet  rubber  eight  or  ten  inches  away,  but  do  not 
touch  the  glass,  it  will  light  the  same  quite  bright 
if  the  fanning  is  very  rapid. 

Most  of  the  miniature  lamps  will  give  the  light, 
but  not  all.  The  Edison,  16  c.  p.,  20  and  22  volts 
will ; but  the  110-volt  store  lamps  will  not. 


Fig.  2 


It  is  evidently  charged  through  the  glass,  as  the 
glow  will  occur  if  the  metal  parts  are  enveloped  in 
rubber.  Everything  used  should  of  course  be  dry. 
It  seems  to  be  an  electrophorous  effect,  the  discharg- 
ing only  exhausting  a section  at  a time.  The  best 
effect  is  obtained  by  rubbing  with  a dry  newspa- 
per. If  a wire  from  the  terminal  of  the  secondary 


ELECTRICITY  AND  MAGNETISM 


15 


coil  of  a i/2-iiich  spark  Ruhmkorf  induction  coil  be 
placed  against  the  glass  of  the  lamp  it  will  glow 
very  brightly.  By  placing  the  hand  against  the 
glass  of  the  lamp  it  glows  more  brightly.  The 
lamp  will  also  glow  if  brought  within  a half  inch 
of  the  coil  without  any  wire  being  connected  with 
it.  See  Fig.  2. 


16 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


magnetism. 

The  discovery  of  magnetism  has  never  been  de- 
cided. It  is  claimed  to  have  been  discovered  by 
the  Greeks  and  it  is  also  asserted  that  the  Chinese 
knew  of  the  compass  at  a much  earlier  date,  yet  to 
the  Greeks  we  owe  the  name  of  this  science. 
About  the  year  1600,  Dr.  Gilbert,  first  physician 
to  Queen  Elizabeth  of  England,  published  his  work, 
^‘De  Magnete’’  and  showed  among  many  other 
things  that  magnetic  attraction  was  only  peculiar 
to  a few  bodies,  while  electricity  was  universal. 

Every  magnet  is  supposed  to  have  what  are 
termed  lines  of  force  running  around  it  and 
through  it,  or  to  possess  what  is  termed  a magnetic 
field.  The  same  may  be  said  of  a helix  carrying  an 
electric  current.  A very  simple  experiment  to  il- 
lustrate this  theory  is  to  lay  a piece  of  paper  or 
glass  over  a bar  magnet,  and  then  to  sprinkle  iron 
filings  over  the  paper  or  glass.  The  iron  filings  will 
be  found  to  have  arranged  themselves  into  lines. 

These  lines  show  the  lines  of  force  around  the 
magnet.  Each  particle  of  the  iron  filings  becomes 
a separate  magnet  by  induction  so  long  as  it  re- 
mains in  the  magnetic  field. 

The  filings  should  be  very  small  and  light,  and 
should  be  sifted  through  a very  fine  sieve.  You 
should  also  tap  the  paper  lightly  when  sprinkling 
the  filings. 

We  see  by  this  experiment  that  the  space  around 


MAGNETISM 


17 


a magnet  is  pervaded  with  this  unseen  force,  or 
lines  of  force,  as  they  are  termed.  An  electro-mag- 
net  is  a magnet  which  is  only  magnetic  when  a 
current  of  electricity  is  passing  through  its  coils 
and  is  generally  made  of  a core  of  soft  iron  with  a 
number  of  turns  of  insulated  wire  wound  around 
it.  This  magnet  has  the  lines  of  force  like  the 
permanent  magnet.  Faraday  showed  that  if  the 
lines  of  force  of  a magnet  were  broken  by  plung- 
ing or  revolving  another  magnet  within  its  fields, 
that  the  current  of  electricity  was  produced  in  the 
wire  of  the  second  magnet.  See  Fig.  3. 


Fig,  3. 

This  is  called  induction,  and  it  is  the  fundamen- 
tal principle  of  the  dynamo. 

Should  you  take  a common  compass,  hold  above 
it  and  parallel  to  its  needle,  a wire  carrying  a cur- 
rent of  electricity,  the  needle  will  instantly  turn 
aside. 


18 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


When  the  current  is  flowing  along  the  wire  above 
the  needle  from  North  to  South,  the  North  pole 
of  the  needle  will  turn  towards  the  East.  If  the 
current  should  be  flowing  from  South  to  North,  the 
needle  will  be  deflected  Westward.  If  you  hold  the 
wire  below  the  needle  the  motions  will  be  the  re- 
verse. Thus  you  see  by  this  experiment  the  first 
principle  of  the  electric  motor. 

Magnetism  like  electricity  may  be  communicated 
from  one  body  to  another,  and  as  in  the  case  of 
hardened  steel,  it  will  be  found  to  remain  in  the 
article  so  magnetized,  after  the  magnetic  body  has 
been  removed.  In  other  words  the  second  body  be- 
comes a magnet  like  the  first.  This  is  also  accom- 
plished without  any  apparent  decrease  of  strength 
in  the  first  magnet.  Steel  and  nickel  seem  to  re- 
tain their  magnetism,  while  iron  more  easily  and 
strongly  magnetized  loses  its  magnetism  almost 
immediately  after  the  magnetic  influence  has  been 
removed. 

Another  strange  thing  about  magnetism  is  that 
it  can  be  comunicated  from  one  body  to  another 
through  layers  of  glass,  paper  or  wood,  placed  be- 
tween the  magnet  and  body  to  be  magnetized,  and 
that  the  intervening  medium  is  directly  concerned 
in  this  transmission  of  magnetic  force,  and  that 
medium  is  ether,’’  which  surrounds  all  molecules 
of  matter. 

Magnetism  may  be  obtained  from  the  earth,  as 
the  earth  itself  is  a great  magnet.  A very  simple 
experiment  is  to  take  a steel  bar,  place  it  in  the 


MAGNETISM 


19 


magnetic  meridian,  with  the  north  end  dipping 
down,  and  while  it  is  in  this  position  strike  it  a 
number  of  hard  blows  with  a wooden  mallet,  after 
which  it  will  be  found  to  have  become  magnetized. 

Although  Faraday  showed  by  the  aid  of  very 
powerful  magnets  that  almost  every  substance  was 
susceptible  to  magnetic  influence,  generally  speak- 
ing, some  bodies  are  not  magnetic.  Such  is  the 
case  with  copper,  bismuth  and  antimony.  These 
are  called  diamagnetic  bodies;  while  such  bodies 
as  iron,  steel  and  nickel  are  highly  efficient  in  mag- 
netic power.  Every  magnet  has  what  is  termed  a 
North  and  South  pole,  which  can  be  seen  by  obser- 
vation of  the  compass.  A very  simple  experiment  to 
illustrate  this  principle,  is  to  take  a small  common 
steel  sewing  needle,  and  after  having  magnetized 
it  by  bringing  it  in  contact  with  the  poles  of  a per- 
manent, or  an  electro-magnet,  float  it  in  a glass  of 
water  when  it  will  be  seen  to  take  a north  and  south 
position.  To  float  the  needle  it  will  be  necessary 
to  lay  it  on  a thin  piece  of  tissue  paper  and  care- 
fully place  both  paper  and  needle  on  top  of  the 
water ; the  paper  will  soon  absorb  water  enough  to 
sink  to  the  bottom  of  the  tumbler,  leaving  the  needle 
floating  on  the  surface.  It  is  supposed  that  should 
you  divide  a bar  magnet  into  the  smallest  molecules 
possible,  each  molecule  would  be  a separate  mag- 
net, endowed  with  a North  and  a South  pole.  This 
may  be  illustrated  by  dividing  a small  bar  magnet 
or  by  magnetizing  a darning  or  knitting  needle, 
and  breaking  it  into  small  pieces,  when  each  piece 
will  be  found  to  have  become  a separate  magnet. 


20 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


There  are  various  ways  of  magnetizing  bodies. 
Should  you  bring  a bar  of  steel  to  a red  heat  and 
let  it  cool  in  the  magnetic  meridian  (that  is  the  bar 
should  lie  in  a north  and  south  position)  it  will  be- 
come magnetized . The  most  powerful  magnets 
are  made  by  winding  insulated  copper  wire  around 
the  steel  to  be  magnetized,  and  then  sending 
through  the  coils  a strong  current  of  electricity. 
You  may  partially  or  wholly  destroy  the  magne- 
tism in  a steel  magnet  by  rough  usage,  as  by  hit- 
ting it,  or  knocking  it  about.  It  will  also  lose  its 
magnetism  on  heating  being  heated  to  redness. 


TELEGRAPH  INSTRUMENTS 


21 


HOW  TO  MAKE  A TELEGRAPH  INSTRU- 
MENT. 

The  most  satisfactory  way  the  author  knows  for 
an  amateur  to  make  a telegraph  instrument  is  to 
saw  wood,  or  apply  himself  to  any  other  remunera- 
tive form  of  labor  until  he  has  made  enough  money 
and  then  buy  himself  one. 

A cheap  or  poorly  made  instrument  is  a con- 
stant source  of  annoyance,  and  even  the  better  kind 


TELEGRAPH  SOUNDER 

will  occasionally  take  freaks.  There  exists,  how- 
ever, a class  of  people  who  take  a much  greater 
pleasure  in  anything  home-made,  and  which  they  • 
understand  from  beginning  to  end,  than  in  the 
store  article,  even  if  the  latter  does  look  and  work 
better,  and  it  is  to  this  class  that  I address  myself, 
repeating  my  warning  that  they  cannot  expect  to 
have  a very  pleasant  time  operating  a home-made 
instrument.  This  instrument  is  one  that  cannot 
be  ^‘simplified’’  to  any  great  extent  without  sacri- 
ficing its  good  qualities,  so  the  form  described  will 
follow  very  closely  that  in  general  use  at  present. 


22 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


The  cores  of  the  magnets  are  to  be  made  of  % 
inch  round  wrought  iron— Norway  iron  preferably, 
on  account  of  its  great  purity  and  softness.  Cut 


two  pieces  1^  inches  long  and  tap  one  end  of  each 
for  a inch  machine  screw.  Fit  over  each  end  of 
them  a washer  made  of  fiber  of  ebonite  1 inch 
in  external  diameter  and  Yg  inch  thick— they  must 


TELEGRAPH  INSTRUMENTS 


23 


fit  tightly.  Insulate  the  cores  between  the  washers 
and  bore  a 1-16  inch  hole  in  one  washer  on  each 
spool  to  take  out  the  beginning  wire  and  then  put 
the  spools  in  a lathe  and  wind  them  full  of  No.  24 
insulated  wire,  according  to  the  directions  given  in 
previous  articles.  It  is  customary  to  slip  over  the 
spool  when  winding  is  finished  a casing  of  ebonite 
both  as  a protection  to  the  wire  and  to  improve  the 
appearance,  but  it  is  not  essential. 


The  yoke  is  also  soft  iron  % of  an  inch  wide, 
3-16  of  an  inch  thick  and  1^  inches  long.  Drill  a 
Ys  inch  hole  in  each  end,  1^  inches  distant  from 
each  other  and  one  in  the  middle  tapped  for  a 3-16 
inch  screw.  Screw  the  spools  you  have  wound  to 
the  yoke  making  a U-shaped  electro-magnet.  This 
magnet  stands  on  a base  made  of  % inch  sheet 


Fig.  1. 


24 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


brass,  2i/4  inches  wide  and  5 inches  long.  Drill  a 
3-16  inch  hole  through  the  base  2^/4  inches  from  one 
end  and  midway  between  the  sides ; this  hole  is  for 
the  purpose  of  screwing  the  magnet  to  the  base. 
Cut  a strip  of  % inch  sheet  brass  5-16  of  an  inch 
wide  and  10^  long;  bend  it  into  a U-shape,  mak- 
ing the  curved  portion  a semi-circle  of  2 inches 
diameter;  at  2 inches  from  each  end  drill  and  tap 
a hole  for  a ^ inch  screw. 

Now  file  a groove  in  the  edges  of  the  two  sides 
of  the  base  plate,  5-16  of  an  inch  in  width,  and  % 
of  an  inch  deep,  the  edge  of  the  groove  to  be 
1 3-32  inches  from  the  end  of  the  plate  the  magnet 
is  nearest.  The  legs  of  the  U-piece  fit  with  this 
groove  and  are  to  be  secured  to  the  base  with  8-32 
machine  screws. 

The  anvil  had  best  be  cast  from  brass,  making 
a pattern  for  the  same  from  Fig.  1.  The  bottoms 
of  the  legs  of  the  anvil  are  to  be  tapped  for  8-32 
machine  screws,  and  holes  drilled  in  the  brass  base 
through  which  to  pass  the  screws  from  underneath 
and  secure  the  anvil.  The  straight  leg  should  be 
3 inches  from  the  end  of  the  base,  and  toward  the 
magnet,  as  shown  in  the  drawing  of  the  completed 
instrument.  The  hole  in  the  short  arm  is  % of  an 
inch  from  the  end,  and  is  drilled  and  tapped  for  a 
% inch  screw’. 

Another  brass  piece  which  should  be  cast  from 
brass,  should  be  made  in  accordance  with  Fig.  2. 
The  holes  Y and  Z are  to  be  drilled  and  tapped  for 
a Ys  inch  screw,  and  X-drilled  with  a No.  30  drill. 


TELEGRAPH  INSTRUMENTS 


25 


Through  the  hole  in  the  little  downward  projec- 
tion of  this  piece  is  to  be  driven  a piece  of  No.  14 
Stubbs’  steel  wire,  pointed  at  each  end,  and  well 
hardened. 

A soft  armature  of  the  shape  and  dimensions 
shown  in  C,  Fig.  2,  is  screwed  on  the  upper  side  of 
the  brass  casting,  to  the  hole  Y.  Four  thumb 
screws  and  check  nuts  will  be  required,  and  may 
be  made  by  following  the  dimensions  given  at  B, 
Fig.  2.  Two  of  the  thumb  screws  should  have 
their  ends  slightly  countersunk  or  drilled  with  a 
very  fine  drill,  to  form  bearings  for  the  pointed 
ends  of  the  Stubbs’  steel  pivot.  Two  more  screws 
and  nuts  are  needed:  the  screw  to  be  made  from 


Fig.  2. 

% inch  brass  wire,  1 inch  long,  and  threaded  the 
entire  length,  and  the  nut  to  fit  this  thread. 
Through  one  end  of  this  screw  drill  a small  hole. 
At  % of  an  inch  from  the  end  of  the  base  plate, 
and  directly  under  the  projecting  end  of  the  arma- 


26 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


ture  carrier,  back  of  the  pivot,  solder  a small  hook. 
Make  a closed  spring  out  of  No.  22  spring  brass 
wire.  We  are  now  ready  to  put  things  together. 

In  the  first  place,  the  brass  base-plate  should  be 
mounted  on  a neat  wooden  base,  a little  larger 
than  the  brass  plate,  and  on  the  wooden  base 
place  two  binding  posts.  Screw  the  magnet  to 
the  base-plate,  if  you  have  wound  both  cores  in 
the  same  directions  and  have  screwed  them  to  the 
yoke  so  that  both  starting  ends  are  together,  con- 
nect the  two  inside  wires  together  and  the  remain- 
ing ends  to  the  binding  posts,  or,  in  other  words, 
see  that  the  wires  are  connected  in  such  a way  that 
if  the  magnet  were  bent  out  straight,  the  current 
will  pass  around  the  bar  in  one  direction  through- 
out its  whole  length.  Screw  the  anvil  to  the  base 
plate  and  put  in  the  adjusting  screws  and  nuts  as 
shown  in  the  general  drawing. 

Place  the  armature  in  position  and  adjust  it  so 
that  it  moves  easily  on  the  pivot  point  by  means  of 
the  adjusting  screws  in  the  sides  of  the  U shaped 
piece.  Put  the  nuts  on  the  piece  of  threaded  wire 
you  made  and  slip  it  into  the  hole  in  the  end  of 
the  armature.  The  end  with  the  hole  in  it 
should  be  down,  and  into  the  hole  hook  one  end  of 
the  spring  you  wound,  and  cut  off  the  other  end  so 
that  it  will  reach  the  hook  beneath  with  a little 
stretching,  and  hook  it  there.  The  tension  on  the 
spring  can  then  be  regulated  by  the  nuts  on  top, 
and  should  be  such  that  the  armature  will  be 
pulle^, against  the  top  when  freed. 


TELEGRAPH  INSTRUMENTS 


27 


Adjust  the  screws  in  the  anvil  so  that  the  arma- 
ture will  have  % of  an  inch  play  between  them,  and 
at  its  lowest  point  the  soft  iron  piece  will  be  1-32 
of  an  inch  from  the  ends  of  the  magnet,  and  your 
sounder  will  be  ready  for  work;  that  is  to  say, 
whenever  you  put  a current  through  the  coils  the 
armature  will  draw  down  and  make  a click,  and 
when  the  current  is  taken  off,  will  fly  up  and  make 
another. 

The  place  in  which  the  instrument  is  set  makes 
a good  deal  of  difference  in  the  sound.  A sound- 
ing board  of  some  sort  is  necessary  if  it  is  desired 
to  have  the  instrument  make  much  noise.  A good 
table  answers  for  this  very  well  and  often  the  in- 
strument is  placed  upon  a plate  of  glass  or  has  a 
bell  or  curved  piece  of  tin  attached  to  the  anvil 
for  the  purpose  of  increasing  the  volume  of  sound. 

To  break  and  make  the  circuit  and  thus  work 
the  instrument,  we  must  have  a key  which  can  be 
made  from  a piece  of  spring  brass,  as  shown  in 
Fig.  3. 

Cut  and  bend  the  brass  in  the  shape  shown,  and 
screw  a wooden  or  ebonite  button  to  it.  The  screw 
head  on  the  under  side  is  to  be  filed  off  a little  flat 
and  another  screw  placed  beneath,  so  that  its  head 
may  be  touched  by  the  other  when  it  is  pressed 
down.  The  wires  are  to  be  connected  to  the  strip 
and  screw  head  as  shown,  though  of  course  this 
is  to  be  done  underneath  the  board  on  which  they 
are  mounted,  so  that  the  wires  will  not  be  seen.  The 
circuit  must  be  kept  closed  except  when  a message 


28 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


is  being  sent,  so  that  another  strip  of  brass  is  to 
be  screwed  to  the  first,  so  it  will  move  freely  and 
will  close  the  circuit  when  swung  against  the  lower 
contact.  A suitable  handle  is  to  be  made  for  this. 

The  contacts  of  the  key  are  apt  to  become  fouled 
by  the  dirt  and  sparking  on  breaking  the  circuit, 


TELEGRAPH  KEY. 


Fig.  3. 


and  must  be  occasionally  cleaned.  The  fouling 
from  the  last  cause  can  be  obviated  somewhat  by 
soldering  small  pieces  of  platinum  to  the  contacts 
as  it  does  not  oxydize  as  readily  as  most  other 
metals. 


PRIVATE  LINES 


29 


PRIVATE  LINES. 

In  the  construction  of  short  lines^  No.  12  galvan- 
ized wire  is  chiefly  used,  being  of  light  weight  and 
cheapest  for  the  purpose,  and  measures  thirty  ohms 
resistance  to  the  mile. 

Only  one  wire  is  necessary  to  the  construction  of 
a line,  the  earth  being  used  for  the  return  circuit. 

Great  care  should  be  taken  to  have  the  earth  con- 
nections perfect.  Instruments  on  the  same  line 
must  always  be  of  the  same  resistance.  Whatever 
other  difference  there  may  be  in  the  instrument, 
they  should  be  all  alike  in  resistance. 

For  lines  between  one  and  twelve  miles  in  length, 
the  instruments  are  required  to  have  their  magnets 
wound  with  finer  wire  than  those  used  on  currents 
of  less  than  one  mile.  Such  instruments  are  des- 
ignated as  being  of  ^‘20  ohms  resistance.’’ 

In  ordering  instrument  give  the  length  of  line 
and  the  number  of  instruments  to  be  used  on  it. 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


<Jb 


o 


PRIVATE  LINES 


31 


TO  CONNECT  TWO  INSTRUMENTS  WITH  A 
SHORT  LINE. 

Connect  the  wire  from  the  copper  pole  with 
yonr  ground  wire  and  the  wire  from  the 
zinc  pole  to  the  binding  post  on  the  in- 
strument. Connect  the  line  wire  to  the  op- 
posite binding  post  at  the  other  end  of  the  line 
and  attach  the  wire  to  one  binding  post.  Then  run 
a wire  to  the  ground  from  the  opposite  post.  If 
part  of  the  battery  is  used  at  each  end  of  the  line 
always  be  careful  to  have  the  zinc  and  copper  poles 
of  the  battery  towards  each  other. 


32 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


PRIVATE  LINES 


33 


PRIVATE  LINE  WITH  SEVERAL  STATIONS 
IN  CONNECTION. 

Connect  wires,  instruments  and  batteries  on  such 
a line  as  shown  in  the  diagram,  placing  the  bat- 
teries at  each  end  of  the  line. 

Battery  at  A has  its  zinc  pole  connected  to  the 
earth  and  its  copper  to  the  line.  Necessarily, 
therefore,  the  other  battery  at  B presents  its  zinc 
pole  to  the  line  and  its  copper  to  the  earth.  Were 
both  batteries  connected  with  the  same  pole  to  the 
line,  they  would  neutralize  each  other,  and  no  cur- 
rent would  be  produced. 

The  line  is  connected  from  the  battery  to  the  first 
instrument  and  on  the  next  in  such  a way  that  the 
current  is  made  to  pass  through  every  instrument 
on  the  route. 

It  is  necessary  when  two  or  more  offices  are  con- 
nected on  a line  that  every  key  be  kept  closed  by 
having  the  circuit  closer  shut,  except  only  when 
sending  communications.  If  any  one  key  on  the 
entire  line  is  left  open  all  communication  is 
stopped. 

In  running  an  out-door  wire  between  points  at 
any  distance  apart,  it  should  be  insulated  by  means 
of  glass  or  rubber  insulators  from  contact  with  the 
buildings,  trees  or  posts,  so  as  to  prevent  the  escape 
of  the  current  into  any  object  it  might  come  in  con- 
tact with  and  thus  reach  the  ground  before  going 
through  the  instruments.  To  make  a joint  or  splice 
in  wire,  scrape  the  ends  of  the  wires  to  be  joined 


34 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


PRIVATE  LINES 


35 


with  a knife  or  file  until  they  are  clean  then  twist 
them  tightly  together  with  the  aid  of  a pair  of 
plyers. 

Wires  for  use  inside  of  buildings  should  be  of 
copper  and  insulated  with  cotton  or  gutta-percha. 
They  should  be  fastened  with  staples  and  care  taken 
not  to  break  the  insulation. 

Main  lines  of  telegraph  are  arranged  in  the  same 
manner.  With  wires  of  many  miles  in  length,  main 
batteries  containing  a large  number  of  cells  are 
placed  at  the  end  stations  and  the  return  made  by 
means  of  the  ground  wire  and  each  office  connected 
to  the  line  in  the  same  manner  described.  Tap- 
ping a wire  is  done  by  simply  cutting  a wire  and 
connecting  the  instrument  with  the  two  ends.  What- 
ever passes  over  the  wire  can  then  easily  be  read. 


36 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


THE  RELAY. 

The  Relay  is  a main  line  instrument.  It  is  sim- 
ply an  armature  hung  in  front  of  two  spool  mag- 
nets in  such  a way  as  to  be  susceptible  to  rapid  vi- 
brations. These  vibrations  are  unlike  those  of  the 
key,  which  are  made  by  hand  with  the  assistance 
of  a spring.  The  vibrations  of  the  Relay  are  auto- 
matic and  are  caused  by  the  applications  of  two 
forces,  in  one  direction  by  the  constant  pull  of 
the  spring  or  mechanical  force,  in  the  other  by  the 
intermitted  application  of  magnetic  force  gener- 
ated in  an  electro-magnet.  The  object  of  this  vi- 
bration is  to  open  and  close  an  electrical  circuit 
called  the  local  circuit. 

There  are  four  binding  posts  in  the  base  of  the 
Relay.  Two  of  them  form  the  terminals  of  the 
wires  of  the  electro-magnet  and  answer  for  the 
attachment  of  wires  leading  to  the  main  line;  the 
other  two  are  connected  with  the  local  contact 
points  and  serve  to  accommodate  the  wires  leading 
to  the  sounder  and  local  battery. 

By  simply  opening  and  closing  a key  on  the 
same  circuit  with  itself,  no  matter  how  near  to  Ox’ 
how  far  from  the  Relay  it  may  be,  magnetism  is 
generated  in  the  electro  magnet  and  discharged 
therefrom  intermittently,  and  the  two  forces  above 
referred  to  are  so  proportioned  to  one  another  and 
the  armature  that  where  there  is  no  magnetism 
present  the  spring  is  strong  enough  to  pull  the  arm- 
ature away  from  the  electro  magnet.  The  spring, 


THE  RELAY 


37 


however,  must  be  so  regulated  as  to  be  weak  enough 
to  be  overcome  by  the  power  of  the  magnetism  when 
the  current  is  let  into  the  magnets  and  permit  the 
armature  to  be  pulled  up  against  the  end  of  the 
spools. 

When  the  current  comes  over  the  main  wire 
weakened  from  traveling  a long  distance  it  passes 
into  the  Relay.  The  armature  of  the  Relay  is  so 
delicately  hung  as  to  be  moved  by  the  slightest  cur- 
rent and  the  current,  punctuated  into  dots  and 
dashes,  passes  through  the  Relay  and  then  to  the 
sounder,  which,  aided  by  a local  battery,  gives  the 
message  from  the  main  line  clear  and  distinct. 

The  above  cut  shows  the  best  method  of  connect- 
ing the  Lightning  Arrester  and  Relay  on  a 
grounded  circuit  consisting  of  only  two  stations. 


38 


TBLBGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


LIGHTNING  ARRESTERS. 

As  lightning  is  frequently  attracted  to  out-door 
lines  and  thereby  enters  the  office,  sometimes  dam- 
aging the  instruments,  or  even  setting  fire  to  cur- 
tains or  other  inflammable  materials  about  the 
instrument  table,  a simple  and  cheap  instrument 
called  the  “Lightning  Arrester  and  Cut  Out”  is 
used  for  the  purpose  of  intercepting  and  carrying 
to  the  earth  such  discharge  of  lightning  as  would 
be  liable  to  cause  damage.  This  apparatus  is  en- 
tirely effective,  and  is  a safeguard  against  light- 
ning. 


BATTERIES 


39 


THE  BATTERY. 


The  gravity  battery  is  the  one  most  commonly 
used  for  telegraphic  purposes.  It  consists  of  a glass 
jar,  a zinc,  and  a copper.  The  copper  is  known  as 


BATTERY. 

the  positive  pole  of  the  battery,  and  the  zinc  is  the 
negative. 

The  battery  is  put  in  operation  according  to  the 
following  directions : 

Spread  the  leaves  of  the  copper  out,  and  place  on 
the  bottom  of  the  jar,  so  that  it  rests  level  as  pos- 
sible, with  its  wire  passing  up  alongside  of  jar,  as 
shown  in  the  cut.  Then  fill  the  jar  with  water 
within  two  inches  of  the  top,  and  drop  in  about 
three-quarters  of  a pound  of  blue  vitriol.  See  that 
the  lumps  lie  evenly  around  and  on  the  copper. 


40 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


Next  suspend  the  zinc  in  the  jar  so  that  the  water 
will  cover  it,  as  shown  in  the  cut ; and  the  battery 
is  all  ready  for  operation,  although  its  full  strength 
will  not  be  developed  for  about  two  days. 

To  hasten  the  development  of  its  strength,  con- 
nect the  copper  with  the  zinc  by  fastening  the  wire 
into  the  clamp  screw  of  the  zinc,  and  leave  it  so  for 


about  twelve  or  fourteen  hours.  This  places  the 
battery  on  a short  circuit,  which  matures  its 
strength  in  a little  time.  After  its  strength  has 
been  sufficiently  developed,  the  circuit  should  be 
opened  in  order  to  save  its  strength  from  being  too 
quickly  exhausted. 

The  battery  should  not  be  kept  in  a place  where 


BATTERIES 


41 


there  is  a liability  of  its  freezing,  for,  if  frozen,  the 
current  is  apt  to  be  suspended.  But  it  should  be 
kept  in  as  warm  a place  as  can  be  conveniently 
found,  as  heat  adds  strength  to  the  battery. 

To  replace  the  loss  by  evaporation,  water  should 
be  from  time  to  time  added  to  that  in  the  jar.  The 
battery  is  fully  charged  and  in  full  working  order 
when  a blue  color  can  be  observed  in  the  liquid  ris- 
ing to  within  an  inch  of  the  lower  surface  of  the 
suspended  zinc.  If  the  color  rises  higher  than  this 
it  is  an  indication^ that  too  much  sulphate  of  copper 
is  being  used,  and  no  more  should  be  added  until 
the  blue  has  receded  to  the  copper.  This  latter 
state  always  indicates  that  more  sulphate  of  copper 
is  required.  There  is  an  increase  in  the  quantity  of 
the  sulphate  of  zinc  in  solution  in  the  upper  part  of 
jar  as  long  as  the  battery  continues  in  action.  A 
hydrometer  is  used  for  the  purpose  of  testing  the 
strength  of  the  solution.  When  the  specific  gravity 
is  thirty  degrees,  or  more,  a portion  of  the  top  of 
the  liquid  should  be  scooped  out  and  replaced  with 
fresh  water.  On  the  other  hand,  when  it  is  less 
than  fifteen  degrees,  the  sulphate  of  zinc  solution 
should  be  strengthened. 

It  is  necessary  to  thoroughly  clean  the  battery 
once  in  from  three  to  four  months,  on  account  of 
the  vitriol  becoming  decomposed  and  the  zinc  dis- 
solving. Carefully  take  out  the  zinc  and  copper; 
pour  the  clean  liquid  into  a separate  jar,  leaving 
behind  the  sediment  which  has  gathered  on  the  bot- 
tom of  the  jar.  Then  wash  jar  thoroughly  and  pour 


42 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


COMBINATION  KEY. 


BATTERIES 


43 


back  the  clean  liquid;  take  the  copper  and  zinc 
and  clean  them  by  scraping  with  the  blade  of  a 
knife.  Replace  copper  and  zinc  in  jar,  add  enough 
water  to  cover  zinc,  and  place  in  a few  lumps  of 
vitriol.  The  battery  will  then  be  in  good  condition 
again,  and  requires  no  further  attention,  excepting 
when  necessary  to  add  sulphate  of  copper,  or  to 
clean  it.  The  power  of  the  battery  depends  on  the 
position  in  which  the  zinc  is  placed  with  reference 
to  the  copper.  To  strengthen  the  power,  lower  the 
zinc  to  vvithin  about  an  inch  of  the  copper,  taking 
care  not  to  allow  a contact  between  the  two.  To  de- 
crease the  power,  thereby  lengthening  the  life  of 
the  battery,  raise  the  zinc  farther  away  from  the 
copper. 

When  joining  together  any  number  of  cells,  the 
positive  pole  of  the  first  cell  must  be  connected  with 
the  negative  pole  of  the  second  cell ; the  positive  of 
the  second  with  the  negative  of  the  third ; the  posi- 
tive of  the  third  with  the  negative  of  the  fourth; 
and  so  on  throughout  the  whole  series.  The  idea  is 
never  to  connect  like  poles,  though  it  does  not  mat- 
ter which  pole  we  begin  with.  This  law  holds  good 
in  joining  batteries  hundreds  of  miles  apart,  as  well 
as  those  that  stand  side  by  side. 


44 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


THE  KEY. 

The  key  should  be  firmly  screwed  to  the  table. 
The  armature  lever  should  be  adjusted  so  that  it 
works  freely  with  a movement  of  about  one-six- 
teenth of  an  inch.  The  spring  which  draws  the 
armature  lever  upward  should  only  be  set  at  a suffi- 
cient tension  to  raise  the  lever  when  no  current  is 
passing  through  the  magnets.  If  drawn  too  tightly 
the  armature  will  not  respond  to  the  magnets.  A 
little  practice  will  enable  the  student  to  judge  best 
for  himself  how  to  regulate  the  screws  of  the  key  in 
order  that  its  play  may  suit  his  hand,  though  it  is 
well  to  remember  that  the  adjustment  should  be 
loose  enough  in  order  that  all  force  may  be  brought 
to  bear  on  the  platina  points. 

The  platina  points  of  the  key  should  be  kept  per- 
fectly clean  so  that  perfect  contacts  can  be  made. 
The  battery  will  be  kept  in  good  condition  if  the 
circuit-closer  of  the  key  is  left  open  about  half  the 
time  when  the  instrument  is  not  in  use. 


THE  KEY 


THE  KEY 


45 


46 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


THE  SOUNDER. 

The  sounder  is  regulated  by  two  adjustable 
screws.  One  limits  the  reverse  movement,  and  the 
other  governs  the  movement  toward  the  magnets. 
The  play  of  the  lever  should  be  about  two  thick- 
nesses of  ordinary  paper. 

The  sounder  is  connected  with  the  local  circuit 
only.  Its  connections  are  attached  to  the  poles  of 
the  battery  and  the  relay. 


THE  SOUNDER 


47 


48 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


THE  RELAY. 

The  relay  is  used  chiefly  for  resistance.  It  is  con- 
nected with  both  the  main  line  and  local  circuits. 
The  armature  has  a platina  point  on  both  sides,  and 
stands  perpendicularly  upright ; the  platina  point 
to  the  right  sets  against  a similar  point  on  the  set- 
screw above  the  magnets  when  the  circuit  is  closed. 
The  platina  point  to  the  left  should  set  against  the 


THE  BELAY. 


point  of  non-conducting  material  on  the  set-screw 
to  the  left  when  the  circuit  is  open. 

The  play  of  the  armature  between  the  two  set- 
screws should  be  about  two-sixteenths  of  an  inch. 
The  adjustable  screw  at  the  right  of  the  relay  is 
used  to  adjust  the  magnets  in  their  relation  to  the 
lever  on  the  armature. 


EXPLANATIONS  AND  DIRECTIONS 


49 


THE  EARTH  AS  A CONDUCTOR. 

A circuit  is  made  by  connecting  the  outgoing 
poles  of  a battery  at  one  end  of  a line  with  the  op- 
posite pole  at  the  other  end. 

To  save  the  construction  of  a return  wire  on  every 
circuit,  most  telegraph  companies  make  great  prac- 
tical use  of  the  earth  as  a conductor  in  order  to 
complete  the  circuit.  That  the  earth  is  really  one 
vast  conductor  is  shown  when  one  pole  of  a battery 
is  connected  with  the  earth,  and  if  the  wire  from 
the  opposite  pole  is  also  connected  with  the  earth 
the  current  will  flow  as  readily  as  though  the  cir- 
cuit had  been  made  complete  by  the  use  of  a return 
wire. 


THE  MORSE  CODE. 

The  Morse  code  of  signals  as  applied  to  the  tele- 
graph is  used  exclusively  in  the  United  States.  It  is 
made  up  of  dots  and  dashes. 

In  the  study  of  telegraphy  the  first  thing  the  stu- 
dent should  learn  is  to  thoroughly  memorize  the 
alphabet,  so  that  each  character  can  be  called  to 
mind  instantaneously ; thus.  A,  dot  and  a dash ; B, 
dash  and  three  dots;  C,  two  dots,  space,  dot;  D, 
dash,  two  dots,  etc. 


50 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


THE  ALPHABET. 
ABODE 

p 

G 

HI  J 

K L 

M 

N 

0 P 

Q R S 

T 

U 

V W 

X Y 

Z 

& 

1 2 

NUMERALS. 

3 ^ 

t 

5 

6 7 

8 

9 

0 

PUNCTUATION  MARKS,  ETC. 
Period.  Comma.  Colon. 

Question  mark. 

Semi-colon. 

Interrogation. 

Paragraph. 

Parenthesis. 

Dollars. 

Exclamation. 

Quotation. 

Brackets. 

Hyphen. 

Dash. 

Apostrophe. 

Under-line. 

Colon-quotation.  Capital  letter. 


EXPLANATIONS  AND  DIRECTIONS 


51 


EXPLANATIONS  AND  DIRECTIONS. 

In  the  alphabet  a short  closure  of  the  key  (an  in- 
stantaneous downward  stroke  of  the  key)  repre- 
sents a dot,  and  a prolonged  closure  (holding)  the 
key  down  as  long  as  it  would  take  to  make  three 
dots,  represents  a dash.  A space  is  represented  by 
a pause  or  rest  between  two  closures  of  the  key. 

The  dots  and  dashes  are  produced  by  a down- 
ward movement  (closing  the  key),  while  the  breaks 
and  spaces  are  produced  by  the  upward  movement 
(opening  the  key). 

It  is  essential  that  there  be  an  unmistakable 
difference  between  dots  and  dashes  and  spaces,  so 
when  making  dots  and  dashes  in  succession,  put 
them  compactly  together,  in  order  that  intervals 
may  not  be  mistaken  for  spaces. 

A long  dash,  as  used  in  the  letter  or  the 
numeral  ‘‘cipher,”  is  made  by  holding  down  the 
key  as  long  as  is  required  to  make  six  dots,  although 
a cipher  is  frequently  made  by  holding  down  the 
key  as  long  as  is  required  to  make  seven  dots. 

Breaks  are  the  intervals  between  dots  or  dashes 
in  the  same  letter.  A space  in  letters  should  be 
made  by  holding  down  the  key  as  long  as  is  required 
to  make  a dot  or  a break. 

The  space  between  words  occupies  the  time  re- 
quired for  three  dots  and  breaks.  The  dots  and 
dashes  should  follow  each  other  as  closely  as  pos- 
sible in  letters  that  do  not  contain  spaces. 

To  obtain  a perfect  style  in  sending,  the  student 
should  be  careful  to  form  space  letters  correctly. 


a OF  ILL  LIB. 


52 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


By  constant  practice  and  strict  observation  in  the 
beginning  he  will  have  no  difficulty  or  trouble  in 
perfecting  a style  that  will  be  speedy  and  perfect. 


POSITION  AND  MOVEMENT 


53 


POSITION  AND  MOVEMENT. 

Sit  erect  in  an  easy  and  natural  position,  facing 
the  key.  Place  the  first  and  second  fingers  on  the 
top  of  the  key-button,  with  the  thumb  under  the 
edge.  Curve  the  first  and  second  fingers,  so  as  to 
form  a quarter  section  of  a circle.  Partially  close 
the  third  and  fourth  fingers,  and  keep  them  about 
a quarter  of  an  inch  above  the  table.  Rest  the 
arm  on  the  table  a little  below  the  elbow.  Let  the 
grasp  upon  the  key  be  firm,  but  not  too  rigid,  and 


54 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


never  take  the  fingers  from  the  key,  nor  the  elbow 
from  the  table,  while  transmitting. 

The  motion  should  be  perfectly  free  and  natural 
— directly  up  and  down,  without  any  side  pressure. 
I'he  wrist,  hands  and  fingers  should  be  kept  flex- 
ible, and  should  all  move  in  the  same  direction 
simultaneously. 

Learn  the  movement  by  making  dots  at  the  rate 
of  one  every  second,  then  two,  three,  four  and  five, 
until  the  speed  of  about  350  per  minute  is  attained. 
In  the  same  way  begin  with  dashes,  and  gradually 
increase  until  115  per  minute  can  be  made  with 
clearness  and  regularity. 

When  dots  and  dashes  have  been  mastered,  take 
up  the  following  exercises  in  their  order,  always 
remembering  that  in  letters  of  more  than  one  char- 
acter, the  dots  and  dashes,  unless  spaced,  must 
follow  each  other  closely : 


ALPHABETICAL  LESSONS 


55 


EXERCISE  NO.  1. 

Dot  Letters. 

E I S H P 6 


EXERCISE  NO.  2. 

Dot  and  Space  Letters. 

See  that  the  spaces  are  uniform,  and  are  in  the 
proper  place. 

o c r y z & 


EXERCISE  NO.  3. 

Dash  Letters. 

Be  careful  about  the  proportion  of  the  short  and 
long  dashes. 

t 1 m 5 0 


EXERCISE  NO.  4. 

Dots,  with  Dash,  in  Succession. 

See  that  they  follow  each  other  as  closely  as  pos- 
sible, 
a 


u 


V 


4 


56 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


EXEKCISE  NO.  5. 

Dash,  with  Dots,  in  Succession, 
n d b 8 


EXEKCISE  NO.  6. 

Dots  and  Dashes  in  Combinations. 

P G J K Q 

W X 1 2 3 


7 9 Period. 


EXERCISE  NO.  7. 

Numerals. 

1 2 3 4 5 


6 


7 


8 


9 


0 


ALPHABETICAL  LESSONS 


57 


EXERCISE  NO.  8. 

The  Alphabet. 

a b c d e f 

g h i j k 

1 m n o p q 

r s t u V 

w X y z & 

EXERCISE  NO.  9. 

Punctuation  Marks,  Etc. 


Period. 

Comma. 

Colon. 

Quotation. 

Semi-colon. 

Interrogation. 

Paragraph. 

Parenthesis. 

Dollars. 

Exclamation. 

Quotation. 

Brackets. 

Hyphen. 

Dash. 

Apostrophe. 

Under-line. 

Colon-dash. 

Capital  Letter. 

58 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


EXERCISE  NO.  10. 

Letters  and  Numbers  Mixed. 

Drill  upon  this  exercise  until  each  character  can 
be  called  to  mind  at  will.  See  that  the  dots  are  not 
prolonged,  the  dashes  correct  length,  the  spaces 
uniform,  the  dots  and  dashes  (when  not  spaced) 
close  together,  and  the  letters  are  uniform  dis- 
tances apart.  Repeat  this  exercise  over  and  over 


again  until  perfection 

is  attained. 

A 

N 

B 

V 

C 

R 

D 

U 

E 

T 

F 

1 

G 

J 

Period 

Q 

Z 

& 

8 

W 

3 

H 

5 

M I 

K 

9 

L 0 

P 

2 

X 

4 

S 

6 Y 

0 

7 

NUMBER  LESSONS 


59 


BXEECISE  NO.  11. 

Numbers. 

A short  space  is  usually  made  between  every 
three  figures  in  large  numbers: 

1,000. 

1,506.  • 

1,500. 

2,450. 

14,000. 

18,328. 

18,907, 

258,900. 

999,999. 


8,488,300. 


60 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


12.400.000. 

150.488.000. 
1,150,464,525. 

50,424. 

90,  108. 
150,644. 

16,241. 

24,900. 

100,000. 

1,000,000. 


NUMBER  LESSONS 


61 


1,000,000,000. 

444,222. 

5,555,332. 

66,999. 

1,201. 

42,325. 

168,245. 

1,246,658. 


10,249 


62 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


EXERCISE  NO.  12. 

Decimals. 

The  decimal  point  is  transmitted  by  spelling  out 
the  word  “dot.” 

4.8. 

4.28. 

10.1. 

44.7777. 

19.00001. 

215.01. 

$1.20. 

$184,271/2. 


$999,263^. 


NUMBER  LESSONS 


63 


.20. 


.00001/8- 


$28.61  2-3. 


1,000.000000. 


5.12. 


.000. 


425.1. 


2.02. 


288.0001. 


1,000.01. 


15.10. 


64 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


25.13. 

488.00001. 

25.00. 

13.10. 

14.01. 

15.001. 

16.0001. 

17.00001. 

18.000001. 

1,000.01. 

900.001. 

800.0003. 

700.000002, 


FEACTION  LESSONS 


66 


EXERCISE  NO.  13. 

Fractions. 

In  fractions  a dot  represents  the  dividing  line. 

2-3. 


3-5. 


4-5. 


8-9. 

13-14. 

%• 


4-8. 

11-12. 

9-12. 


6-7. 


66 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


16-17. 

2-10. 

4-32. 

100-200, 

1- 14. 

3- 21. 

2- 17. 

4- 14. 

5- 15. 

6- 16. 

, 7-17. 

8-18. 

9-19. 


10-20. 


WORD  LESSONS 


67 


EXERCISE  NO.  14. 

Words. 

After  the  student  has  written  the  words  in  this 
exercise  repeatedly,  he  may  arrange  series  himself 
for  practice ; but  he  must  always  bear  in  mind  that 
it  is  only  by  constant  repetition  that  he  can  thor- 
oughly familiarize  himself  with  the  words: 

And, 

Terminate. 

Ramify. 

Quotation. 


Practice. 

Opinion. 

Nominate. 


Maintain. 


Limited, 


68 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


Knowledge. 

Inmate. 

Judgment. 

Chair. 

Desire. 

Exchange. 

Family. 

German. 

Humane. 

Aluminum. 

Exposition. 

Cataract. 


Construction. 


WORD  LESSONS 


Magnificent. 


Majesty. 


Tremendous. 


Extraordinary. 


Terminal. 


Restoring. 


Gradually. 


Marvelous. 


Hydraulic. 


Generators. 


Transmit. 


70 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


Predominate. 

Apparatus. 

Structure. 

Parallel. 

Kingdom. 

Authorize. 

International. 

Manipulated. 

Perpendicularly. 

Diagram. 


Respectively. 


WORD  LESSONS 


71 


Characters. 

Exclamation. 

Invariably. 

Attainment. 

Suggestions. 

Accuracy. 

Position. 

Numerals. 

Milwaukee. 

American. 

Union. 


73 


TELEGBAPHT  SELF-TAUGHT 


Pacific. 

Merchandise.* 

Manhattan. 

Birmingham. 

Mutual. 

Prominent. 

National. 

Drummond. 


Semaphore. 

Richmond. 

Beacon. 

Canopy. 


WORD  LESSONS 


73 


Arbitration. 


Monopolize. 


Harland. 


Rural. 

Garrison. 

Discrimination. 


Entertainment. 


Colonial. 

Sovereign. 

Barn. 


Elocution, 


74 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


Mechanical. 

Manipulated. 

Continental. 

Magnets. 

Armature. 

Electrical. 

Vulcanize. 

Standard. 

SENTENCE  LESSONS 


75 


EXERCISE  NO.  15. 

Sentences. 

After  familiarizing  himself  with  the  followins-; 
sentenees,  the  beginner  may  take  such  other  as  he 
chooses,  for  practice but  he  nutist  always  be  care- 
ful to  write  one  correctly  before  commencing  with 
another ; 

How  are  you? 

Are  you  going  home  ? 


Will  be  home  tomorrow. 


John  is  sick. 


It  rained  to-day. 


When  are  you  coming? 


Yes,  you  may  come. 


76 


TBLEflltAPHT  SELF-TAUGHT 


Ask  him. 

Ere  the  dawn  of  another  glorious  day. 


It  is  not  likely. 

What  makes  you  think  so  ? 

Why  not? 

Is  that  so? 

Snow  to-morrow. 

Four  houses  wrecked. 


The  savings  bank  was  looted 


SENTENCE  LESSONS 


77 


Beautiful  as  a lovely  dream. 


From  far  away. 


Dead  in  his  prime. 


Far  from  the  life  he  loved. 


Tell  him  he  must  not  do  it. 


Send  four  hundred. 


About  Tuesday. 


Original  copy. 


Two  may  come. 


78 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


Order  is  too  large. 


Cut  it  down. 


See  that  you  do  it. 


Bear  it  in  mind. 


Balmy  are  the  days. 


Wheat  received. 


Cargo  is  on  wheels. 


Please  state  terms. 


Can’t  you  come  down  a little? 


SENTENCE  LESSONS 


79 


Give  another  price. 


Send  in  bid. 


Goods  were  in  bad  order. 


Will  ship  today. 


It  is  due. 


Fair  weather. 


I cannot  do  it. 


The  train  was  late. 


Are  you  positive? 


TELEGRAPHY  SELP-TAUGHT 


I am  positive. 


It  is  a thing  of  beauty. 


It  was  well  done. 


CX)MMERCIAL  LESSONS 


81 


COMMERCIAL  MESSAGES. 

Great  care  should  be  exercised  in  both  receiving 
and  transmitting  commercial  telegrams,  for  they 
are  the  medium  through  which  the  public  transact 
their  business.  Mistakes  are  easily  made  and  the 
outcome  of  some  will  likely  involve  the  telegraph 
company  in  costly  litigation. 

In  sending  a message  the  date  is  always  prefixed 
by  ‘‘from.’’  The  word  “to”  always  precedes  the 
address.  The  address  comprises  the  name  and 
place  of  the  person  to  whom  the  message  is  ad- 
dressed. The  check,  sending  operator’s  letters,  and 
the  number  precedes  the  date. 

The  check  tells  whether  the  message  is  paid,  free 
or  collect. 

The  “from,”  “to”  and  “sig.”  are  never  copied 
by  the  receiving  operator. 

When  an  operator  is  through  receiving  a mes- 
sage he  must  always  sign  “0.  K.” 

The  message  has  not  been  properly  received  and 
must  be  repeated  if  no  O.K.  is  received. 

When  the  receiver  finds  he  is  not  getting  the 
message  correctly,  he  breaks  and  tells  the  sender  to 
“G.  A.”  (go  ahead)  the  last  word  received. 

When  the  sender  discovers  that  he  has  made  a 
wrong  letter,  he  stops,  makes  six  or  more  dots,  says 
“msk.”  (mistake),  and  commences  again  with  the 
last  word  made  correctly. 

The  operator  should  see  that  he  has  the  num- 
ber of  words  called  for  by  the  check,  after  receiv- 


82 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


ing  a message.  If  they  do  not  agree,  he  should 
compare  with  sender  until  error  is  found.  This  is 
done  by  commencing  at  the  period  and  writing  the 
first  letter  in  each  word  until  the  missing  portion 
is  found. 


ORDER  OF  TRANSMISSION. 

The  operator  will  always  observe  the  following 
order  of  transmission: 

1.  Number  of  message. 

2.  Office  call. 

3.  Operator’s  personal  signal. 

4.  Check  of  message. 

5.  Place  from  and  date. 

6.  Address. 

7.  Body  and  signature. 


COMMERCIAL  LESSONS 


83 


EXERCISE  NO.  16. 

Hr.  City.  No.  43.  Rm.  Ck.  10.  Collect.  An.  Ans. 

From  Chicago,  June  16. 
To  Phillip  & McIntyre,  Salem,  N.  Y. 

Your  order  was  shipped  yesterday.  Should  reach 
you  to-morrow. 


(Sig.)  G.  L.  Bassett  & Co. 


84 


TBLiEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


EXERCISE  NO.  17. 

Hr.  Tru.  No.  23.  Fn.  Ck.  12.  Paid. 

Prom  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  Nov.  3. 
To  Ammerman  & Co.,  Bangor,  Me. 

Offer  two  cars  number  two  red  seventy  one  and 
half  f.  0.  b.  Minneapolis. 

(Sig.)  B.  W.  Wadsworth  & Co. 


COMMERCIAL  LESSONS. 


85 


EXERCISE  NO.  18. 

Er.  Tru.  No.  20.  Vx.  Ck.  12.  Paid. 

From  Shelburne  Falls,  Mass.,  May  7. 
To  B.  A.  Streeter,  Sherham,  Va. 

Nellie  died  this  morning.  Funeral  Thursday, 
three  p.  m.  May  we  expect  you  ? 

(Sig.)  L.  W.  Reynolds. 


86 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


EXERCISE  NO.  19. 

Hr.  Tru.  No.  26.  Cx.  10.  Collect. 

From  Mankato,  Minn.,  May  7. 
To  B.  M.  Whelpton,  Stapleton  House,  Janesville, 
Wis. 

Mr.  Cannon  wires  he  cannot  be  in  Chicago  Sat- 
urday^ 


(Sig.)  J.  L.  Balcom. 


COMMERCIAL  LESSONS. 


87 


EXERCISE  NO.  20. 

Hr.  City.  No.  11.  Ck.  8.  Paid. 

From  Hydeville,  Vt.,  June  28. 
To  Hanna  Bros.  & Co.,  Jay  St.,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

Shipped  fifteen  cases  eggs  by  express  this  after- 
noon. 

(Sig.)  John  J.  Brennan.  . . 


88 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


EXERCISE  NO.  21. 

Hr.  City.  No.  8.  Sy.  Ck.  9.  Paid. 

From  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  July  14. 
To  H.  B.  Stapells  & Co.,  205  Clark  St.,  Chicago, 
111. 

Sell  ten  May  wheat  opening.  Stop  half  cent  ad- 


vance. 


(Sig.)  Harlow. 


COMMERCIAL  LESSONS. 


89 


EXERCISE  NO.  22. 

Hr.  Tni.  Pink.  No.  34.  M.  Ck.  12.  Collect 
N.  P.  R. 

From  Saratoga,  N.  Y.,  July  15. 
To  Advertiser,  New  York. 

Judge  Andrews  renders  decision  on  Heywood 
race  track  to-night.  How  much? 


(Sig.)  Hines. 


90 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


EXERCISE  NO.  23. 

Hr.  Tru.  No.  29.  Rm.  Ck.  14.  Paid. 

From  Athol,  Mass.,  June  16. 
To  Jordon  Marsh  & Co.,  Boston,  Mass. 

Express  quick  one  P 6,  two  V four,  two  X three, 
one  B eight. 


(Sig.)  McArthur  & Son. 


COMMERCIAL  LESSONS. 


91 


EXERCISE  NO.  24. 

Hr.  Tru.  No.  33.  Fo.  Ck.  8.  Paid. 

From  New  Britain,  Conn.,  Jan.  12. 
To  John  Hancock,  Concord,  N.  H. 

Will  is  quite  ill.  Can’t  some  of  you  come  ? 

(Sig.)  Nellie. 


92 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


EXERCISE  NO.  25. 

Hr.  Tru.  Kn.  Ck.  15.  Paid. 

Prom  Chernbusco,  N.  T.,  Jan.  3. 
To  John  Joyce,  21  State  St,  Holyoke,  Mass. 

Can  use  you  in  my  store  as  clerk  if  you  can  come 
at  once.  Answer. 


(Sig.)  Mina  Lossy. 


COMMERCIAL  LESSONS. 


93 


EXERCISE  NO.  26. 

Hr.  City.  V.  Ck.  7.  D.  H. 

From  Keene,  N.  H.,  Aug.  11. 
To  J.  H.  Myers,  on  Train  22,  B.  & M.  R.  R.,  Ash- 
burnham  Jet.,  Mass. 

I will  moet  you  at  Fitchburg  to-morrow. 

(Sig.)  A.  H.  Bates. 


94  TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 

EXERCISE  NO.  27. 

Hr.  Tru.  No.  22.  Dr.  Ck.  13.  Paid.  3 Ex. 
W.  Delvy.  digs.  Gtd. 

Prom  Omaha,  Neb.,  Nov.  2. 
To  James  Bethel,  Five  Miles  West  Rutland,  Vt. 

John  quite  sick ; not  dangerous,  but  Mary  should 
come.  Answer. 


(Sig.)  P.  M.  Weldon. 


COMMERCIAL  LESSONS. 


95 


EXERCISE  NO.  28. 

Hr.  Tru.  Pink.  No.  32.  Cy.  Ck.  21.  Paid 
From  Rutland,  Mass.,  Sept.  13. 
To  P.  N.  Blood,  District  Inspector,  302  Reynolds 
Bldg.,  Fitchburg,  Mass. 

Meet  me  Grand  Union  Hotel,  Fitchburg,  Satur- 
day forenoon. 


(Sig.)  Stephenson. 


96 


TELEQBAPHT  SELF-TAUGHT 


EXERCISE  NO.  29. 

Hr.  City.  No.  38.  Ca.  Ck.  10.  Paid.  2 Ex. 
W.  Report  Dely. 

From  Saratoga,  N.  Y.,  April  12. 
To  B.  A.  Warren,  Grain  Inspector,  Southern  Grain 
Co.  Try  2116  Myrtle  Ave.,  and  Flat  G,  361 
Chestnut  Ave.,  New  York. 

Send  Harris  here.  First  train  in  morning.  An- 
swer. 

(Sig.)  Wyman  & Co.,  General  Agents. 


COMMERCIAL  LESSONS. 


97 


EXERCISE  NO.  30. 

Hr.  Tru.  No.  38.  Cd.  Ck.  10.  Collect. 

From  Port  Byron,  N.  Y.,  May  14. 
To  Guy  Bently,  Ashtabula,  Ohio. 

Your  wife  sick.  Wants  you  to  come  home.  An- 
swet. 


(Sig.)  Bates  & Curtis. 


98 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


EXEECISE  NO.  31, 

Hr.  Tru.  No.  22.  Bn.  Ck.  10.  Paid.  3.  Ex.  W. 

Prom  Shusham,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  12. 
To  W.  B.  Smith,  Nashua,  N.  H. 

Forging  anatomy  combine.  Muslin  May  deliv- 
ery tempest. 


(Sig.)  B.  W.  Sayers, 
Agent  White  Star  Line. 


COMMERCIAL  LESSONS. 


99 


EXERCISE  NO.  32. 

Hr.  Tru.  No.  6.  Bk.  Ck.  71  Collect.  N.  P.  R. 

From  Chicago,  111.,  May  2. 
To  Journal,  St.  Louis,  111. 

An  atrocious  murder  was  committed  here  this 
morning  by  tramps,  who  escaped.  They  waylaid 
on  Western  avenue  Prank  Hendrum,  a messenger 
employed  by  the  Terminal  R.  R.,  and  clubbed  him 
to  death;  then  robbed  the  body  of  a large  sum  of 
money.  A laborer  going  to  work  gave  to  the  police 
a description  of  two  rough-looking  men  whom  he 
saw  running  about  two  blocks  from  the  scene  of 
the  murder. 


(Sig.)  Smith. 


100 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


COMMERCIAL  LESSONS. 


102 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


THE  STUDENT. 

Three  things  only  are  required  by  the  student 
who  aspires  to  be  a telegraph  operator.  They  are 
study,  perseverance  and  common  sense.  A com- 
mon school  education  is  all  that  is  needed  in  the 
way  of  learning. 

First  he  should  familiarize  himself  with  the 
principles  involved  in  the  production  of  the  cur- 
rent, and  the  application  of  the  current  to  the  tel- 
egraph. After  he  has  done  this,  and  has  set  his 
instruments  in  position,  he  is  then  ready  for  the 
first  lesson. 

It  is  not  hard  to  learn  telegraphy.  The  alpha- 
bet is  easily  mastered,  and,  in  a nut-shell,  the  rest 
consists  of  practice.  But  the  student  should  not 
stop  after  he  has  secured  his  position.  He  should 
learn  the  mechanism  of  his  instruments — how 
they  are  put  together,  and  what  each  piece  is  for — 
and  indulge  in  the  principles  of  the  science  as  ap- 
plied to  the  more  complicated  apparatus  of  the 
telegraph. 

Once  a telegraph  operator,  not  always  an  oper- 
ator, should  ever  be  in  his  mind.  Use  the  profes- 
sion as  a stepping  stone  for  something  higher. 
Learn  the  work  thoroughly,  once  and  for  all.  There 
are  thousands  of  operators  who  are  always  learn- 
ing something  they  should  have  mastered  before 
ever  being  hired.  These  are  those  who  say  that 
the  profession  is  over-crowded,  and  that  there  is 
no  promotion  for  the  ordinary  operator.  That  is 
all  wrong.  Look  at  the  successful  railroad  and 


INSTRUCTIONS. 


103 


business  men.  Thousands  of  them  began  life  as 
an  operator  on  a small  salary.  Through  the  accu- 
racy and  quickness  of  mind  that  operators’  duties 
developed  in  them  they  have  risen  to  the  top. 
Their  success  will  be  your  success,  if  you  don’t 
idle  the  precious  minutes  away,  but  apply  yourself 
to  your  work  as  diligently  and  faithfully  as  you 
can. 


OFFICE  CALLS. 

Every  telegraph  office  has  a call  which  consists 
of  not  more  than  two  letters.  The  call  for  Chi- 
cago is  Ch.,  Duluth,  D.  If  Chicago  desires  to 
communicate  with  Duluth,  he  repeats  Duluth ’s  call 
until  answered.  He  will  also  sign  his  own  office 
call  at  short  intervals  when  calling  an  office,  and 
will  sign  it  when  answering  calls. 


104 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


HOW  TO  COUNT  THE  WORDS  IN  A MES- 
SAGE. 

In  a prepaid  message  the  following  words  will  be 
counted : 

Extra  words  in  an  address. 

Words,  figures  and  letters  in  the  body  of  a mes- 
sage. 

Figures,  decimal  points  and  letters  will  be 
counted  separately,  each  as  one  word. 

The  affixes  st.,  d.,  nd.,  rd.,  and  th.,  will  be 
counted  each  as  one  word. 

Abbreviations  of  weights  and  measures,  and  the 
names  of  territories,  states,  cities,  town  and  vil- 
lages will  be  counted  as  written  in  full.  Also  initial 
letters  and  surnames  of  persons. 

In  a collect  message,  and  in  the  check,  such  words 
as  delivery  charges  guaranteed,’^  ‘‘deliver  and 
report  charges,  ” “ report  delivery,  ” “ repeat 

back,”  should  be  counted  and  charged  for. 

The  word  “collect”  will  be  counted,  but  not 
charged. 

Compound  words  and  proper  combinations  of 
dictionary  words  will  be  counted  and  charged  for 


as  given  in  the  list  following: 

A.  M 1 word 

Alright 2 words 

Assistant  General  Freight  Agent 4 words 

Bill-lading 1 word 

Cwt 1 word 

Can’t  or  Cannot 1 word 


INSTRUCTIONS. 


105 


COD. 1 word 

Cook  County 2 words 

C.  I.  F 1 word 

C.  A.  F 1 word 

Delivery  charges  guaranteed 3 words 

Dist.  of  Columbia.  . . .- 1 word 

East  Chicago 1 word 

East  St.  Louis 1 word 

East  St.  Paul 1 word 

F.  0.  B 1 word 

Foreman 1 word 

General  Freight  Agent 3 words 

Harrett,  M.  D 2 words 

Highland  Park 2 words 

La  Salle 1 word 

Lbs 1 word 

Long  Island  Sound 1 word 

McDonald 1 word 

New  York 1 word 

New  York  State 2 words 

No.  487  21st  St 8 words 

O ’Shannon 1 word 

0.  K 1 word 

Per  cent 1 word 

Prepaid 1 word 

Rhode  Island 1 word 

Someone 2 words 

St.  Paul .1  word 

South  Chicago 1 word 

South  Carolina 1 word 

South  Carolina  State 2 words 


106 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


Swartz,  A.  B.,  M.  D 3 words 

Somehow 2 words 

Something 2 words 

Somewhere 2 words 

Twenty  millions 2 words 

West  Albany 1 word 

Wilson,  Sr 2 words 

Wilson,  Jr 2 words 

3.25 .4  words 

44.82 5 words 

376.22 .6  words 

4,208,629 '.  ..7  words 

4th 2 words 

33rd 3 words 


RAILROAD  RULES. 


107 


RAILROAD  RULES  FOR  TELEGRAPH  OPER- 
ATORS. 

All  telegraph  operators  report  to,  and  receive 
their  instructions  from,  the  Superintendent  of 
Telegraphs  and  Signals.  They  will  obey  the  or- 
ders of  the  chief  operator  on  their  respective  divi- 
sions. They  will  also  observe  the  instructions  of 
station  agents,  where  the  same  does  not  interfere 
with  their  duties  as  operators. 

They  are  required  to  be  constantly  on  duty  dur- 
ing the  hours  assigned  them,  and  must  not  leave 
their  offices  to  go  to  meals,  deliver  messages,  or  for 
any  purpose  that  will  take  them  out  of  hearing 
over  five  minutes,  without  permission,  and  will 
always  report  promptly  to  the  train-dispatcher 
upon  their  return.  They  must  not  leave  their  office 
while  a train  is  at  the  station,  unless  required  to  do 
so  by  business  connected  with  the  train. 

Offices  will  be  in  charge  of  the  day  operator,  and 
when  two  or  more  are  employed  one  must  be  al- 
ways on  duty.  Day  and  night  operators  must  not 
leave  their  posts  until  relieved  by  each  other,  and 
they  will  instruct  the  one  going  on  duty  in  regard 
to  the  position  of  trains  and  any  unfinished  busi- 
ness. 

At  offices  where  a day  operator  only  is  em- 
ployed, the  operator  must  not  close  his  office  for 
the  night  until  he  has  received  ‘‘Good  night from 
the  train-dispatcher’s  office. 

Day  operators  will  report  on  each  Sunday  morn- 


108 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


ing,  and  night  operators  will  report  on  each  Sun- 
day evening,  and  if  not  needed  will  be  excused. 

They  must  be  courteous  in  their  intercourse  with 
one  another,  and  with  all  persons  transacting  busi- 
ness at  their  offices.  Improper  or  profane  language 
will  not  be  permitted  over  the  wires. 

They  must  not  take  students,  or  leave  their  offi- 
ces in  charge  of  other  operators,  without  permis- 
sion. 

They  must  not  permit  persons  (whether  employes 
of  the  company  or  not)  to  frequent  their  offices. 

All  messages  sent  and  received  must  be  dated, 
timed,  and  have  written  on  them  the  initials  of 
the  operators  who  sent  or  received  them.  When 
messages  from  General  or  Division  Officers  are 
left  for  transmission,  the  original  will  be  sent  by 
train  to  the  sender  at  his  office,  and  a copy  with 
all  time  notations  kept  for  the  office  file. 

The  original  or  a copy  of  all  messages  sent,  and 
copies  of  all  messages  received,  that  can  not  be  de- 
livered directly  or  promptly,  must  be  preserved 
for  reference.  If  a message  received  cannot  be 
delivered  within  a reasonable  time,  the  party  or 
the  office  sending  the  message  must  be  notified 
why. 

They  must  not  receive  messages  to  be  transmit- 
ted free,  unless  signed  by,  or  addressed  to,  an  of-  ' 
ficer,  agent,  or  other  employe  entitled  to  the  use  of 
the  wire.  They  must  consider  all  messages  strictly 
confidential,  and  will  not  permit  them  to  be  read 
by  any  persons  except  those  to  whom  they  are  ad- 


RAILROAD  RULES. 


109 


dressed,  nor  to  make  their  contents  the  subject  of 
conversation  or  remark. 

If  the  circuit  is  broken  for  an  unusual  length 
of  time,  they  must  test  the  wires  and  report  on 
which  side  of  the  office  the  break  is.  If  they  re- 
ceive reliable  information  as  to  the  location  of  a 
break,  and  cannot  reach  the  Division  Train-Dis- 
patcher promptly,  they  will  direct  section  foreman 
to  make  temporary  repairs. 

Contention  for  circuit  will  not  be  permitted. 
Should  the  circuit  be  interrupted  while  an  oper- 
ator is  writing,  he  will  stop  immediately  to  ascer- 
tain the  cause ; if  it  be  another  operator  breaking, 
unless  the  one  breaks  says  (this  dispatch 

must  have  preference  over  all  other  business  on  di- 
vision wires),  or  ‘‘55’’  (this  dispatch  is  of  great 
importance),  the  operator  who  is  writing  will  say 
“8”  (close  your  key,  you  are  breaking  others), 
and  close  his  key;  if  the  request  is  not  complied 
with,  he  will  keep  his  key  closed  until  he  can  pro- 
ceed without  interruption,  and  then  report  the 
case  in  writing. 

The  ground  wire  must  never  be  used  except  when 
the  wire  is^'interrupted,  and  then  only  long  enough 
to  report,  or  to  transact  important  business.  Oper- 
ators will  be  held  to  a strict  accountability  for  vio- 
lations of  this  rule. 

Operators  must  make  themselves  familiar  with 
their  switch  an’d  spring  boards,  so  that  they  can 
connect  wires,  as  directed  by  the  testing  operator, 
correctly  and  promptly.  Always  be  sure  that  the 


110 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


testing  operator  has  finished  his  directions  before 
commencing  to  connect  wires  or  removing  ground- 
wire.  When  directed  to  ‘^open  circuit’’  say 
‘‘now”  and  make  a slight  pause  before  actually 
opening  the  circuit.  Never  connect  wires  vice 
versa  unless  directed  to  do  so  by  the  testing  oper- 
ator, and  always  keep  an  instrument  on  the  wire 
on  which  instructions  are  being  given  until  com- 
munication is  opened. 

The  telegraph  must  not  be  used  for  the  trans- 
mission of  communications  which  may  be  sent  by 
train  without  detriment  of  or  to  the  company’s  in- 
terests. Operators  will  enclose  copies  of  messages 
passing  through  their  offices  that  evidently  in- 
fringe on  this  rule  to  the  Superintendent  of  Tele- 
graph. 

They  must  keep  a full  set  of  signals  in  good  or- 
der, and  always  ready  for  immediate  use,  and  use 
them  strictly  in  accordance  with  the  rules. 

They  must  keep  a register  of  all  trains  passing 
their  offices,  and  the  reports  from  such  other  offices 
as  may  be  required,  on  the  blank  furnished  for 
this  purpose.  This  report  must  show  the  arriving 
as  well  as  the  leaving  time  of  all  trains,  and  the 
color  of  the  signals,  if  any  were  carried.  Oper- 
ators at  offices  equipped  with  semaphore  signals 
must  also  note  the  signal  given  each  train. 

When  reporting  the  time  of  trains  operators  will 
also  name  the  station  block  signal  given  to  the 
trains.  When  a train  remains  two  minutes  or  longer 
at  a station  the  arriving  as  well  as  the  leaving  time 


RAILROAD  RULES. 


Ill 


will  be  given.  When  a passenger  train  is  delayed 
over  five  minutes,  or  a freight  train  is  delayed  over 
fifteen  minutes,  the  reason  for  the  detention  must 
be  entered  on  the  register  and  reported  with  the 
time. 

Arriving  time  of  a train  is  the  time  at  which 
the  engine  reaches  the  station  or  siding,  but  it  must 
not  be  reported  until  the  markers  of  the  train  have 
been  seen.  Departing  time  will  be  reported  when 
the  rear  of  the  train,  with  markers  attached,  passes 
the  office. 

Operators  must  give  particular  attention  to  the 
adjustment  of  their  relays  when  trains  are  behind 
time,  and  be  ready  to  receive  Special  Orders. 
When  holding  a train  for  orders  they  must  signal 
it  in  person,  and  not  depend  upon  anyone  else  to 
do  so. 

They  must  observe  the  rear  of  all  trains  passing 
their  offices,  and  if  markers  or  red  lights  are  not 
displayed,  report  it  at  once  to  the  Division  Super- 
intendent. 

On  a single  track  and  at  junctions,  when  signals 
for  a following  section  are  taken  off  a train  at  a 
station,  the  operator  must  immediately  display 
red  signals,  and  hold  all  trains  not  having  the 
right  of  road  until  the  train  for  which  the  signals 
were  displayed  has  arrived. 

Operators  will  require  conductors,  or  others,  re- 
porting accidents  to  use  the  blanks  for  that  pur- 
pose, and  see  that  all  the  necessary  information  is 
included  and  written  plainly. 


112 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


DUTIES  OF  LINE  REPAIR  MEN. 

Line  repair  men  located  at  points  along  the  road 
will  in  the  absence  of  the  Superintendent  of  Tele- 
graph report  every  morning  to  the  train  dispatcher 
of  the  division,  and  advise  him  as  to  their  move- 
ments for  the  day,  and  will  obey  his  instructions 
as  to  repairs  necessary  to  keep  the  lines  working. 

They  must  see  that  the  poles  are  kept  in  proper 
position,  the  wires  connected,  insulated,  and  clear 
of  all  obstructions,  and  make  all  necessary  repairs. 
When  assistance  is  required  they  will  call  upon  the 
section  foreman  on  their  respective  track  sections. 
Section  foremen  must  not  be  taken  off  their  sec- 
tions except  in  cases  of  emergency. 

They  must  pass  over  the  road  frequently,  and 
closely  observe  the  condition  of  the  line;  exam- 
ine the  connections  at  the  offices,  and  inquire  of  the 
operators  as  to  the  working  of  the  lines. 

They  must  always  be  provided  with  a full  set  of 
tools,  and  be  ready  to  respond  immediately  to  any 
orders  they  may  receive. 

They  must  supply  the  operators  and  section  fore- 
man with  wire  and  insulators,  and  instruct  them  in 
regard  to  splicing  the  wire  and  making  other  re- 
pairs. 


RAILROAD  RULES. 


113 


BLOCK  SIGNALS. 

Block  signals  are  erected  at  nearly  all  principal 
stations  on  railroads  in  the  United  States.  They 
consist  of  single-armed  semaphore  signals  for  each 
main  track,  and  are  operated  by  levers  from  the 
block  station. 

A red  light  at  night,  and  a red  semaphore  blade 
extended  in  a horizontal  position  by  day,  is  a sig- 
nal for  trains  to  stop. 

A white  light  at  night,  and  a red  semaphore  blade 
lowered  to  a hanging  or  nearly  vertical  position 
by  day,  is  a signal  for  trains  to  proceed. 

The  normal  position  of  these  signals  will  be  to 
indicate  danger,  and  to  hold  all  trains.  When  there 
are  no  orders  for  the  approaching  train,  and  the 
operator  has  a report  of  the  preceding  train  hav- 
ing passed  the  next  block  station,  the  signal  to  pro- 
ceed must  be  given  promptly,  and  without  causing 
delay  to  the  approaching  train,  and  should  be  given 
when  the  train  whistles  for  the  station,  or  when 
the  engineer  first  sights  the  signal. 

If,  on  the  arrival  of  a train  at  a block  station, 
the  preceding  train  has  not  been  reported  clear  by 
the  next  block  station,  the  train  must  be  held  until 
ten  minutes  after  the  departure  of  the  preceding 
train,  unless  in  the  meantime  it  is  reported  clear. 
Trains  must  not  be  reported  clear  unless  they  are 
off  main  track,  or  have  passed  one  hundred  yards 
beyond  the  block  semaphore  signal.  If  at  the  ex- 
piration of  ten  minutes  the  preceding  train  is  not 
reported  clear,  the  operator  will  then  give  the 


il4  TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 

conductor  of  the  train  held  a written  clearance 
notice  showing  the  time  at  which  the  preceding 
train  left,  and  the  signature  of  th^  conductor  must 
be  taken  on  a copy  of  this  notice  to  be  retained  by 
the  operator.  This  clearance  the  conductor  will 
deliver  to  the  engineer  before  the  train  starts.  The 
train  so  held  will  not  start  until  the  semaphore  has 
been  changed  to  safety.  A train  with  a clearance 
entering  a block,  as  provided  for  in  this  rule,  will 
be  held  responsible  in  case  of  an  ^accident  caused 
by  overtaking  the  preceding  train. 

The  time  for  holding  trains  (ten  minutes)  may 
be  increased  at  the  discretion  of  the  dispatcher  in 
foggy  or  stormy  weather.  Operators  must  notify 
the  dispatcher  promptly  in  case  of  fog,  blinding 
snow  storms,  or  bad  weather. 

Operators  must  report  promptly  to  the  next 
block  station  in  the  rear,  and  also  to  the  next  block 
station  ahead,  the  time  of  trains  passing  their  sta- 
tions. These  reports  have  preference  over  the  re- 
ports to  the  Division  Superintendent’s  office. 

If  no  markers  are  displayed  on  the  rear  of  a 
train,  the  operator  at  the  next  block  station  must 
be  notified  to  stop  the  train,  notify  the  conductor, 
and  ascertain  whether  he  has  all  the  cars  in  his 
train.  The  block  station  in  the  rear  must  be  noti- 
fied that  the  track  is  blocked,  until  it  is  ascertained 
that  the  conductor  has  all  of  his  train. 

The  block  stations  which  are  open  day  and  night, 
and  those  which  are  open  only  during  the  day,  will 
be  indicated  on  the  time  tables.  The  Division  Su- 
perintendents will  issue  notice  from  time  to  time 


RAILROAD  RULES. 


115 


showing  between  what  hours  day  block  stations  will 
be  opened  and  closed,  and  conductors  and  engin- 
eers must  have  copies  of  such  notices. 

When  operators  have  special  orders  for  trains 
they  will  display  a red  signal  at  the  place  desig- 
nated for  this  purpose,  in  addition  to  the  sema- 
phore signal.  This  position  will  be  located  by  the 
Division  Superintendent,  and  must  not  be  changed 
except  by  his  order.  On  double  track,  these  red 
signals  for  special  orders  will  govern  the  trains 
moving  on  the  track  on  which  the  signal  is  shown, 
placed  on  the  right  hand,  or  engineer's,  side  of  the 
track  on  which  the  train  to  be  held  is  moving. 

At  block  stations  which  are  not  equipped  with 
semaphore  signals  the  operator  will,  when  in- 
structed by  the  Division  Superintendent,  carry  out 
these  rules,  using  a red  flag  by  day  and  a red  light 
by  night,  instead  of  the  semaphore  signals. 

When  a passenger  train  is  stopped  by  the  oper- 
ator's red  signal  where  it  receives  or  discharges 
passengers,  the  train  may  run  to  the  proper  posi- 
tion at  the  platform,  but  must  not  leave  the  sta- 
tion until  the  signal  is  withdrawn.  All  other 
trains  must  stop  before  passing  the  signal. 


116 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


RULES  FOR  THE  MOVEMENT  OF  TRAINS 
BY  TELEGRAPHIC  ORDERS. 

Special  orders,  directing  movements  of  trains 
varying  from  or  additional  to  the  time  table,  are 
issued  by  the  authority  and  over  the  signature  of 
the  Division  Superintendent.  They  are  not  issued 
for  movements  that  are  provided  for  by  rule  or 
time  table.  They  must  not  contain  information  or 
instructions  not  essentially  a part  of  them. 

They  must  be  brief  and  clear^  and  the  prescribed 
forms  must  be  used  when  applicable;  and  there 
must  be  no  erasures,  alterations  or  interlineations. 

Each  order,  when  practicable,  must  be  given  in 
the  same  words  to  all  persons  or  trains  directly  af- 
fected by  it,  so  that  each  shall  have  a duplicate  of 
what  is  given  to  the  others.  Preferably  an  order 
should  include  but  one  specified  movement. 

Orders  will  be  numbered  consecutively  for  each 
day  as  issued,  beginning  with  No.  1 at  midnight. 

Orders  must  be  addressed  to  those  who  are  to 
execute  them,  naming  the  place  at  which  each  is 
to  receive  his  copy.  Those  for  a train  must  be  ad- 
dressed to  the  conductor  and  engineman,  and  also 
to  a person  acting  as  pilot.  A copy  for  each  person 
addressed  must  be  supplied  by  the  operator. 

Each  order  must  be  written  in  full  in  a book  pro- 
vided for  the  purpose  at  the  Division  Superinten- 
dent’s office;  and  with  it  must  be  recorded  the 
names  of  trainmen  and  others  who  have  signed  for 
the  order ; the  time  and  signals,  showing  when  and 


TRAIN  DISPATCHING. 


117 


from  what  offices  the  order  and  responses  were 
transmitted;  and  the  train  dispatcher’s  initials. 
These  records  must  be  made  at  once  on  the  original 
copy,  and  not  afterward,  from  memory  or  memo- 
randa. 

The  terms  ‘^superior  right”  and  ‘^inferior 
right”  in  these  rules  refer  to  the  rights  of  trains 
under  the  time  table  and  train  rules,  and  not  to 
rights  under  special  orders. 

\"\Tien  an  order  is  to  be  transmitted  the  signal 
^‘31”  meaning  ‘'Train  Order,”  will  be  given  to 
each  office  addressed,  followed  by  the  word  “copy” 
and  a figure  indicating  the  number  of  copies  to  be 
made,  if  more  or  less  than  three — thus,  “31  copy 
5.” 

An  order  to  be  sent  to  two  or  more  offices  must 
be  transmitted  simultaneously  to  as  many  as  prac- 
ticable. The  several  addresses  must  be  in  the  order 
of  superiority  of  rights  of  trains,  and  each  office 
will  take  only  its  proper  address.  When  not  sent 
simultaneously  to  all,  the  order  must  be  sent  first 
for  the  train  having  the  superior  right  of  track. 

Operators  receiving  orders  must  write  them  out 
in  manifold  during  transmission  and  make  the 
requisite  number  of  copies  at  one  writing,  or  trace 
others  from  one  of  the  copies  first  made. 

When  an  order  has  been  transmitted,  preceded 
by  the  signal  “31,”  operators  receiving  it  must 
(unless  otherwise  directed)  repeat  it  back  at  once 
from  the  manifold  copy,  and  in  the  succession  in 
which  their  several  offices  have  been  addressed. 


118 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


Each  operator  repeating  must  observe  whether  the 
others  repeat  correctly.  After  the  order  has  been 
repeated  correctly  by  the  operators  required  at 
the  time  to  repeat  it,  the  response  K.’’  author- 
ized by  the  train  dispatcher  will  be  sent  simultan- 
eously to  as  many  as  practicable,  naming  each  of- 
fice. Each  operator  must  write  this  on  the  order 
with  the  time,  and  then  reply  ^^i  i 0.  K.’’  with  his 
individual  and  office  signal. 

Those  to  whom  the  order  is  addressed,  except  en- 
ginemen,  must  then  sign  their  names  to  the  copy 
of  the  order  to  be  retained  by  the  operator,  and  he 
will  send  their  signatures  to  the  Division  Superin- 
tendent. The  response  ‘ ^ complete,  ’ ^ with  the  Di- 
vision Superintendent’s  initials,  will  then  be  given, 
when  authorized  by  the  train  dispatcher.  Each 
operator  receiving  this  response  will  then  write  on 
each  copy  the ‘word  ^ ‘ comjplete,  ” the  time,  and  his 
last  name  in  full ; and  will  then  deliver  a copy  to 
each  person  included  in  the  address,  except  engine- 
men,  and  each  must  read  his  copy  aloud  to  the  oper- 
ator. The  copy  for  each  engineman  must  be  deliv- 
ered to  him  personally  by  the  conductor,  and  the 
engineman  must  read  it  aloud  and  understand  it 
before  acting  upon  it. 

For  an  order  preceded  by  the  signal  ‘ ‘ 31,  ” ‘ ^ com- 
plete” must  not  be  given  to  the  order  for  delivery 
to  a train  of  inferior  right  until  ‘‘0.  K.”  has  been 
given  to  and  acknowledged  by  the  operator  who 
receives  the  order  for  the  train  of  superior  right. 
Whenever  practicable,  the  signature  of  the  con- 


f 

TRAIN  DISPATCHING.  119 

ductor  of  the  train  of  superior*  right  must  be  taken 
to  the  order  and  ‘ ‘ complete  ’ ’ given  before  the  train 
of  inferior  right  is  allowed  to  act  on  it. 

After  ‘^0.  K.’’  has  been  given  and  acknowl- 
edged, and  before  ^‘complete’’  has  been  given  the 
order  must  be  treated  as  a holding  order  for  the 
train  adressed,  but  must  not  be  otherwise  acted  on 
until  ‘‘complete’’  has  been  given. 

If  the  line  fails  before  an  office  has  received  and 
acknowledged  “0.  K.”  to  an  order  preceded  by 
the  signal  “31,”  the  order  at  that  office  is  of  no 
effect,  and  must  be  there  treated  as  if  it  had  not 
been  sent. 

The  order,  the  “ 0.  K.  ” and  the  ‘ ‘ complete  ’ ’ must 
each  in  transmitting  be  preceded  by  “31,”  as  the 
case  may  be,  and  the  number  of  the  order,  thus, 
“31,  No.  10.”  In  transmitting  the  signature  of  a 
conductor  it  must  be  preceded  by  “31,”  the  num- » 
ber  of  the  order,  and  the  train  number,  thus,  “31, 
No.  10,  Train  No.  5.”  After  each  transmission 
and  response  the  sending  operator  must  give  his 
individual  and  office  signal. 

The  operator  who  receives  and  delivers  an  order 
must  preserve,  the  lowest  copy.  On  this  must  ap- 
pear the  signatures  of  those  who  sign  the  order, 
and  on  it  he  must  record  the  time  when  he  receives 
it,  the  responses,  the  time  when  they  are  received, 
his  own  name,  the  date,  and  the  train  number,  for 
which  places  are  provided  in  the  blanks. 

Train  orders  used  by  conductors  and  engineers 
must  be  sent  by  them  daily  to  the  Division  Super- 
intendent. 


120 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


Enginemen  will  place  their  orders  in  the  clip 
before  them  until  executed. 

For  orders  delivered  at  the  Division  Superinten- 
dent’s office  the  requirements  as  to  record  and  de- 
livery will  be  the  same  as  at  other  points. 

Orders  to  persons  in  charge  of  work  requiring 
the  use  of  tracks  in  yards  or  at  other  points,  au- 
thorizing such  use  when  trains  are  late,  must  be 
delivered  in  the  same  way  as  to  conductors  of 
trains. 

An  order  to  be  delivered  to  a train  at  a point 
not  a telegraph  station,  or  while  the  office  is  closed, 

must  be  addressed  to  “A.  and  E.,  No. at , 

care  of ,”  and  forwarded  and  delivered  by  the 

conductor  or  other  person  in  whose  care  it  is  ad- 
addressed.  “Complete”  will  be  given  upon  the 
signature  of  the  person  by  whom  the  order  is  to  be 
delivered,  who  must  be  supplied  with  copies  for  the 
conductor  and  engineman  addressed,  and  a copy 
upon  which  he  shall  take  their  signatures.  This 
copy  he  must  deliver  to  the  first  operator  accessi- 
ble, who  must  preserve  it,  and  at  once  advise  the 
train  dispatcher  of  its  having  been  received. 

Orders  so  delivered  to  a train  must  be  compared 
by  those  receiving  them  with  the  copy  held  by  the 
person  delivering  and  acted  on  as  if  “complete” 
had  been  given  in  the  ordinary  way. 

Orders  must  not  be  sent  in  the  manner  herein 
provided,  to  trains  the  rights  of  which  are  thereby 
restricted. 

When  a train  is  named  in  an  order,  all  its  sec- 
tions are  included  unless  particular  sections  are 


TRAIN  DISPATCHING. 


121 


specified,  and  each  section  included  must  have 
copies  addressed  and  delivered  to  it. 

Meeting  orders  must  not  be  sent  for  delivery  to 
the  trains  at  the  meeting  points  if  it  can  be  avoided. 
When  it  can  not  be  avoided,  special  precautions 
must  be  taken  by  the  train  dispatchers  and  oper- 
ators to  insure  safety. 

There  should  be,  if  possible,  at  least  one  tele- 
graph office  between  those  points  at  which  opposing 
trains  are  to  receive  meeting  orders. 

Orders  should  not  be  sent  an  unnecessarily  long 
time  before  delivery,  or  to  points  unnecessarily 
distant  from  where  they  are  to  be  executed.  No 
orders  (except  those  affecting  the  train  at  that 
point),  should  be  delivered  to  a freight  train  at  a 
station  where  it  has  much  work,  until  after  the 
work  is  done. 

A train,  or  any  section  of  a train,  must  be  gov-  • 
erned  strictly  by  the  terms  of  orders  addressed  to 
it,  and  must  not  assume  rights  not  conferred  by 
such  orders.  In  all  other  respects  it  must  be  gov- 
erned by  the  Train  Rules  and  Time  Table. 

Orders  once  in  effect  continue  so  until  fulfilled, 
superseded  or  annulled.  Orders  held  by  or  issued 
for  a regular  train  which  has  lost  its  rights,  are  an- 
nulled and  other  trains  will  be  governed  accord- 
ingly. 

A fixed  signal  must  be  used  at  each  train-order 
office  which  shall  display  red  when  trains  are 
stopped  for  orders.  On  double  track  train  dis- 
patchers will  indicate  to  operators  when  giving 


122 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


the  signal  which  track  the  signal  is  to  be 

displayed  on. 

When  an  operator  receives  the  signal  “31,”  he 
must  immediately  display  red,  and  then  reply  “sig- 
nal set.”  The  signal  must  not  be  changed  until 
the  object  for  which  it  is  displayed  is  accomplished. 

While  red  is  displayed,  all  trains  must  come  to 
a full  stop,  and  any  train  thus  stopped  must  not 
proceed  without  receiving  an  order  addressed  to 
such  train,  or  a clearance  card  on  a specified  form 
stating  over  the  operator’s  signature  that  he  has 
no  orders  for  it.  Operators  must  be  prepared 
with  other  signals  to  use  promptly  if  the  fixed  sig- 
nal should  fail  to  work  properly. 

When  a semaphore  is  used,  the  arm  means  red 
when  horizontal  and  white  when  in  an  inclined  po- 
sition. 

Operators  will  promptly  record  and  report  to 
the  Division  Superintendent  the  time  of  departure 
of  all  trains  and  the  direction  in  which  extra  trains 
are  moving.  They  will  record  the  time  of  arrival 
of  trains  and  report  it  when  so  directed. 

Regular  trains  will  be  designated  in  orders  by 
their  schedule  numbers,  as  No.  10  including  all  the 
sections  of  No.  10,  unless  particular  sections  are 
designated.  First  section  No.  10  (meaning  the 
first  train),  second  section  No.  10,  third  section  No. 
10,  etc.,  adding  engine  numbers  if  desired;  extra 
trains  by  engine  numbers  as  “Extra  158,”  and  all 
other  numbers  by  figures.  The  direction  of  the 
movement  of  extras  will  be  added  when  necessary, 
as  “East”  or  “West.”  Time  will  be  stated  in 
figures  and  words. 


TRAIN  DISPATCHING. 


123 


TRAIN  ORDER  FORMS. 

Form  A. — Fixing  meeting  point  for  opposing 
trains. 

and will  meet  at . 

EXAMPLES. 

No.  1 and  2 will  meet  at  Preston. 

No,  3 and  2d  No.  4 will  meet  at  Erie. 

No.  5 and  Extra  94  will  meet  at  Horning. 

Extra  24  West  and  Extra  23  East  will  meet  at 
Cornell. 

Trains  receiving  this  order  will,  with  respect  to 
each  other,  run  to  the  designated  points,  and  hav- 
ing arrived  there  will  pass  in  the  manner  provided 
by  the  rules. 

Form  B. — Authorizing  a train  to  run  ahead  of 
or  pass  another  train  running  in  the  same  direc- 
tion. 

(1.)  will  pass at . 

(2.)  will  run  ahead  of , from to 


EXAMPLES. 

(1.) — No.  5 will  pass  No.  3 at  Homer. 

(2.) — No.  4 will  run  ahead  of  No.  2 from  Heg- 
terton  to  Lindsay. 

When  under  this  order  a train  is  to  pass  another, 
both  trains  will  run  according  to  rule  to  the  desig- 
nated point  and  there  arrange  for  the  rear  train  to 
pass  promptly. 


124 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


Form  D. — Giving  all  regular  trains  the  right  of 
track  over  a given  train. 

All  regular  trains  have  right  of  track  against 
between and . 

EXAMPLE. 

All  regular  trains  have  right  of  track  against 
No.  9 between  Newberry  and  Kingston. 

This  order  gives  to  any  regular  train  of  inferior 
right  receiving  it,  the  right  of  track  over  the  train 
named  in  the  order,  and  the  latter  must  clear  the 
schedule  times  of  all  regular  trains,  the  same  as 
if  it  were  an  extra. 


Form  E. — Time  orders. 

(1.)  will  run late  from to -. 

(2.)  will  wait  at until for . 

EXAMPLES. 

(1.)  No.  1 will  run  20  minutes  late  from  High- 
land to  Kingston. 

(2.)  No.  1 will  wait  at  West  Park  until  10  a. 
m.  for  No.  2. 

Form  (1)  makes  the  schedule  time  of  the  train 
named,  between  the  points  mentioned,  as  much 
later  as  the  time  stated  in  the  order,  and  any  other 
train  receiving  the  order  is  required  to  run  with 
respect  to  this  later  time,  the  same  as  before  re- 
quired to  run  with  respect  to  the  regular  schedule 
time.  This  time  in  the  order  should  be  such  as 
can  be  easily  added  to  the  schedule  time. 


TRAIN  DISPATCHING. 


125 


Under  Form  (2)  the  train  of  superior  right  must 
not  pass  the  designated  point  before  the  time  given 
unless  the  other  train  has  arrived.  The  train  of 
inferior  right  is  required  to  run  with  respect  to 
the  time  specified,  the  same  as  before  required  to 
run  with  respect  to  the  regular  schedule  time  of 
the  train  of  superior  right. 


Form  F. — For  sections  of  regular  trains. 

will  carry  signals to for . 

EXAMPLES. 

No.  1 will  carry  signals  Catskill  to  Coxsackie  for 
Engine  85. 

2nd  No.  1 will  carry  signals  Coeyman’s  Junc- 
tion to  Albany  for  Engine  90. 

This  may  be  modified  as  follows : 

Engines  50,  55  and  60  will  run  as  1st,  2d  and  3d 
sections  of  No.  1 Coeyman’s  Junction  to  Albany. 

For  annulling  a section : 

Engine  88  is  annulled  as  second  section  of  No.  1 
from  Coeyman’s  Junction  to  Albany. 

If  there  are  other  sections  following  add: 

Following  sections  will  change  numbers  accord- 
ingly. 

The  character  of  train  for  which  signals  are 
carried  may  be  stated.  Each  section  affected  by 
the  order  must  have  copies,  and  must  arrange  sig- 
nals accordingly. 


126 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


Form  G. — For  arranging  a schedule  for  a spec- 
ial train. 

(1.)  Engine will  run  as  special train, 

leaving  on  on  the  following  schedule, 

and  will  have  the  right  of  track  over  all  trains ; 

Leave  


Arrive 

EXAMPLE. 

(1.)  Engine  79  will  run  as  special  passenger 
train,  leaving  Eotterdam  Junction  on  Monday,  Jan- 
uary 24,  on  the  following  schedule,  and  will  have 
the  right  of  track  over  all  trains. 

Leave  Eotterdam  Junction  11 :30  p.  m. 

Pattersonville  12 :25  a.  m. 

Amsterdam  1 :47  a.  m. 

Arrive  Port  Hunter  2 :22  a.  m. 

EXAMPLE. 

Example  (1)  may  be  varied  by  specifying  par- 
ticular trains  over  which  the  special  shall  or  shall 
not  have  right  of  track  must  clear  its  time  as  many 
minutes  as  such  train  is  required  to  clear  the  sched- 
ule time  of  a first-class  train. 

(2.)  Engine will  run  as  special train, 

leaving on with  the  rights  of  a class 

train,  , on  the  following  schedule,  which  is  a 

supplement  to  time  table  No. . 

Leave  


Arrive 


TRAIN  DISPATCHING. 


127 


EXAMPLE. 

(2.)  Engine  74  will  run  as  a special  passenger 
train,  leaving  Frankfort,  Monday,  Janary  12th, 
with  rights  of  a first-class  train  West,  on  the  fol- 
lowing schedule,  which  is  a supplement  to  time  table 
No.  10. 

Leave  Frankfort  10 :00  a.  m. 

Harbor  10 :30  a.  m.,  passing  No.  14. 

East  Utica  11 :00  a.  m.,  meeting  No.  4. 

Arrive  at  Utica  11 :30  a.  m. 

Example  (2)  creates  a regular  train  and  the 
specified  meeting  and  passing  points  are  to  be  re- 
garded as  if  designated  in  the  same  manner  as  on 
the  time  table.  Such  trains  will  be  governed  by  all 
rules  which  affect  regular  trains. 


Form  H. — Extra  trains. 

will  run  extra  from to . 

EXAMPLE. 

(a.)  Engine  99  will  run  extra  from  Canastota 
to  Syracuse. 

A train  receiving  an  order  to  run  extra  is  not  re- 
quired to  guard  against  opposing  extras,  unless 
directed  by  order  to  do  so,  but  must  keep  clear  of 
all  regular  trains  as  required  by  rule. 

A ‘‘Work  Train’’  is  an  extra,  for  which  the 
above  form  will  be  used  for  a direct  run  in  one 
direction.  The  authority  to  occupy  a specified 
portion  of  a track,  as  an  extra  while  working,  will 
be  given  in  the  following  form : 


128 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


(b.)  Engine  282  will  work  as  an  extra  from  7 
a.  m.  until  6 p.  m.  between  Syracuse  and  Amboy. 

The  working  limits  should  be  as  short  as  practic- 
able, to  be  changed  as  the  progress  of  the  work 
may  require. 

The  above  may  be  combined,  thus : 

(c.)  Engine  282  will  run  extra  from  Syracuse 
to  Amboy  and  work  as  an  extra  from  7 a.  m.  until 
6 p.  m.  between  Syracuse  and  Weedsport. 

When  an  order  has  been  given  to  ‘‘work’’  be- 
tween designated  points,  no  other  extra  must  be 
authorized  to  run  over  that  part  of  the  track  with- 
out provision  for  passing  the  work  train. 

When  it  is  anticipated  that  a work  train  may  be 
where  it  cannot  be  reached  for  meeting  or  passing 
orders,  it  may  be  directed  to  report  for  orders  at  a 
given  time  and  place,  or  an  order  may  be  given  that 
it  shall  clear  the  track  for  a designated  extra,  in 
the  following  form : 

(d.)  Work  Train  282  will  keep  clear  of  Extra 
222,  East,  between  Weedsport  and  Memphis  after 
2 :10  p.  m. 

In  this  case.  Extra  222  must  not  pass  either  of 
the  points  named  before  2 :10  p.  m.,  at  which  time 
the  work  train  must  be  out  of  way  between  those 
points. 

When  the  movement  of  an  extra  train  over  the 
working  limits  cannot  be  anticipated  by  these  or 
other  orders  to  the  work  train,  an  order  must  be 
given  to  such  extra  to  protect  itself  against  the 
work  train,  in  the  following  form : 


TRAIN  DISPATCHING. 


129 


(e.)  Extra  76  will  protect  itself  against  Work 
Train  Extra  95  between  Lyons  and  Newport. 

This  may  be  added  to  the  order  to  run  extra. 

A work  train  when  met  or  overtaken  by  an  extra 
must  allow  it  to  pass  without  unnecessary  deten- 
tion. 

When  the  conditions  are  such  that  it  may  be 
considered  desirable  to  require  that  work  trains 
shall  at  all  times  protect  themselves  while  on  work- 
ing limits,  this  may  be  done  under  the  following 
arrangements.  To  example  (b)  add  the  following 
words : 

(f.)  Protecting  itself  against  all  trains. 

A train  receiving  this  order  must,  whether  stand- 
ing or  moving,  protect  itself  within  the  working 
limits  (and  in  both  directions  on  single  track) 
against  all  trains. 

When  an  extra  receives  orders  to  run  over  work- 
ing limits  it  must  be  advised  that  the  work  train  is 
within  those  limits  by  adding  to  example  (a)  the 
words : 

(g.)  Engine  282  is  working  as  an  extra  between 
Syracuse  and  Amboy. 

A train  receiving  this  order  must  run  expecting 
to  find  the  work  train  within  the  limits  named. 


130 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


Form  J. — Holding  order. 

Hold at . 

EXAMPLE. 

(1.)  Hold  No.  2 at  Weedsport. 

(2.)  Hold  all  trains  at  Weedsport. 

As  any  order  for  which  “0.  K.  ” has  been  given 
and  acknowledged  operates  as  a holding  order  for 
the  train  to  which  it  is  addressed,  this  form  will 
only  be  used  in  special  cases,  to  hold  trains  until 
orders  can  be  given  for  some  other  emergency.  The 
reason  for  holding  may  be  added,  as  ‘ ‘ for  orders.  ’ ’ 

This  order  is  not  to  be  used  for  holding  a train, 
while  orders  are  given  to  other  trains  against  it, 
which  are  not  at  the  same  time  given  to  it  in  dupli- 
cate. It  must  be  respected  by  conductors  and  en- 
ginemen  of  trains  thereby  directed  to  be  held  as  if 
adressed  to  them.  Conductors  when  informed  of 
the  order  must  sign  for  it,  and  their  signatures 
must  be  sent  and  ‘ ‘ complete  ’ ’ obtained. 

When  a train  has*  been  so  held  it  must  not  go 
until  the  order  to  hold  is  annulled,  or  an  order  is 
given  in  the  form : 

“ may  go.” 

This  must  be  addressed  to  the  person  or  persons 
to  whom  the  order  to  hold  was  addressed  and  must 
be  delivered  in  the  same  manner. 


TRAIN  DISPATCHING. 


131 


Form  K. — Annulling  a schedule  train. 

of is  annulled. 

EXAMPLES. 

1.)  No.  1 of  February  29th  is  annulled. 

(2.)  No.  3 due  to  leave  Weehaken  Saturday, 
February  9thj  is  annulled. 

Adding  “from  Weehawken”  or  “between  Corn- 
wall and  Coeyman’s  Junction,”  when  appropriate. 

This  order  takes  away  all  rights  of  the  train  an- 
nulled and  authorizes  any  train  or  person  receiv- 
ing it  to  use  the  track  as  if  the  train  annulled  were 
not  on  the  time  table. 

If  a train  is  annulled  to  a point  named,  its  rights 
beyond  that  point  remain  unaffected. 

The  train  dispatcher  may  direct  any  operator  to 
omit  repeating  back  an  order  annulling  a train 
until  he  has  occasion  to  deliver  it. 

When  a train  has  been  annulled  it  must  not 
again  be  restored  under  its  original  number  by 
special  order. 


132 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


Form  L. — Annulling  or  superseding  an  order. 

“Order  No. is  annulled.’’ 

This  will  be  numbered,  transmitted  and  signed 
for  as  other  orders. 

If  an  order  which  is  to  be  annulled  has  not  been 
delivered  to  a train,  the  annulling  order  will  be 
addressed  to  the  operator,  who  will  destroy  all 
copies  of  the  order  annulled  but  his  own,  and 
write  on  that : 

Annulled  by  order  No. . 

An  order  superseding  another  may  be  given, 
adding  “this  supersedes  order  No. or  add- 
ing “instead  of .” 

EXAMPLE. 

No.  1 and  No.  2 will  meet  at  Clarence  instead 
of  at  Akron. 

An  order  which  includes  more  than  one  specified 
movement  must  not  be  superseded. 

An  order  that  has  been  annulled  or  superseded 
must  not  be  again  restored  by  special  order  under 
its  original  number. 

In  the  address  of  an  order  annulling  or  super- 
seding another  order,  the  train  first  named  must  be 
that  to  which  rights  were  given  by  the  order  an- 
nulled or  superseded,  and  when  the  order  is  not 
transmitted  simultaneously  to  all  concerned,  it  must 
be  sent  to  the  point  at  which  that  train  is  to  re- 
ceive it  and  the  required  response  first  given,  be- 
fore the  order  is  sent  for  other  trains. 


•TELEGRAPH  NUMERALS 


133 


TELEGRAPH  NUMERALS. 

1.  Wait  a minute. 

2.  Very  important. 

3.  Give  me  the  correct  time. 

4.  Where  shall  I repeat  from? 

5.  Have  you  any  business  for  me? 

6.  I have  business;  are  you  ready? 

8.  Close  your  key;  you  are  breaking. 

9.  Wire  tests — has  preference  over  25  and  55. 

10.  Low. 

12.  The  circuit  is  yours. 

13.  Understand  ? 

14.  What  is  the  weather? 

15.  Have  you  any  orders  ? 

17.  Daily  weather  report. 

18.  What  is  the  matter? 

19.  Train  order. 

21.  This  must  have  preference  over  all  other 
business  on  Division  Wires.  On  Through  Wires 
this  will  have  preference  over  signals  9,  25,  55. 

22.  Busy  on  other  wire. 

23.  All  copy. 

24.  Repeat  back. 

25.  Time  reports  to  General  Superintendent’s 
office  of  passenger  trains.  (Used  on  Through 
Wires).  Preference  of  circuit  over  ordinary  and 
‘‘55”  business. 

28.  Did  you  get  my  writing? 

29.  This  is  private,  and  must  be  delivered  in 
sealed  envelope. 


134 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


33.  Answer  is  paid. 

39.  This  dispatch  must  have  preference  over 
all  other  business  on  Through  Wires,  and  will  be 
used  only  by  the  President,  Vice-President,  Gen- 
eral Manager  and  General  Superintendent. 

44.  Answer  quick  by  telegraph. 

55.  This  message  is  of  great  importance. 

73.  Accept  my  compliments. 

77.  I have  a message  for  you. 

92.  Deliver. 

92d.  Delivered. 

134.  Who  is  at  the  key? 


ABBREVIATIONS 


135 


ABBREVIATIONS. 

Abbreviations,  or  contractions,  are  generally 
made  by  leaving  out  the  vowels,  though  some  are 
entirely  arbitrary,  while  others  are  spelled  phonet- 
ically; and  in  clauses  and  phrases  of  oft-repeated 
‘^railroad”  words,  the  first  letters  of  the  words 
are  substituted  instead. 

There  are  also  a few  simple  sentences  which  are 
so  often  used  that  figures  have  been  substituted  as 
symbols. 

The  following  list  of  abbreviations  is  quite  com- 
plete, and  the  student  should  commit  them  to  mem- 
ory and  practice  with  the  key  until  he  can  instantly 
recall  to  mind  the  abbreviation  of  any  word,  as 
they  are  important,  and  tend  to  materially  lessen 
the  operator's  work. 

A 


Abandoned abnded. 

Abbreviation  abbn. 

About  abt. 

Acknowledge - x. 

Account acct. 

Account  sales a.  s. 

Action  actn. 

Address ads. 

Afternoon P.  M. 

Agent  agt. 

All  right 0.  K. 

Always  alwas. 

Amount amt. 


136  •'ELEGBAPHT  SELF-TAUGHT 

And  others et  al. 

Annulled  annld. 

Another  ahr. 

Answer  ans. 

Any ay. 

April Apr. 

Are  r. 

Are  you R.  U. 

Arrival  avl. 

Arrive av. 

Ascertain  asertn. 

Assist  asst. 

Assistant  General  Freight  Agent A G F A. 

Assistant  General  Passenger  Agent AGFA. 

At  a. 

Attention attn. 

Attorney atty. 

Barrell  bbl. 

August Aug. 

Avenue Ave. 

B 

Back bk. 

Baggage  bage 

Balance bal. 

Barrel bbl. 

Battery bat. 

Be b. 

Become becm. 

Been bn. 

Before b4. 

Better btr. 


ABBREVIATIONS 


137 


Between  . . .. 

Bill-lading  . . 

B L. 

Black 

blk. 

Blanks 

Block  

blk. 

Board  

.bd. 

Body 

Book 

buk. 

Bought  . . .. 

Boulevard  . . 

Bound  

Break 

bk. 

Brakeman  . . 

Building  . . . 

bldg. 

Bushel  .... 

bu. 

Business  . . . 

But 

bt. 

By 

c 

Can 

Cancel  former  order. . 

Cannot  . . .. 

Care  of 

Cashier  . ..  . 

Cent 

Cents 

Charge  .... 

chg. 

Charges  . . . 

Check 

Chief 

Circuit  . . .. 

. * 

138 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


Clear clr. 

Coal  and  water C & W. 

Collect col. 

Collection  on  delivery cod 

Combination combn. 

Come cm. 

Coming cmg. 

Commercial coml. 

Commercial  news  department end. 

Commission comsn. 

Company co. 

Conductor condr. 

Conductor  and  engineer C&B. 

Connection conn. 

Copy cy. 

Correct 0 K 

Correction corn. 

Cost,  insurance  and  freight c i f. 

Could eld. 

Creditor cr. 

Crossing xng. 

D 

Day da. 

Day  press  rate dpr 

Day’s  date d d. 

Day’s  sight d s. 

Dead  head d h 

Debtor dr. 

December Dec. 

Decrease dec. 

Democrat dem. 


ABBREVIATIONS 


139 


Dilference dif. 

Dinner dinr. 

Disregard  former  service d f s. 

District dist. 

Division divn. 

Don’t dnt> 

Delivery dely. 

Delivery  charges  guaranteed dely  chgs  gtd. 

Depart d. 

Despatcher despr. 

Destroy bust 

Did  •. .dd 

Double  deck d d. 

Doubt dbt. 

Down dwn. 

Dozen doz. 

Draft  dft. 

Duplicate dup. 


E 

East e. 

Election elect. 

Empty mt. 

Engine eng. 

Engineer engr. 

Enough enuf . 

Errors  excepted e e. 

Errors  and  omissions  excepted e & o e. 

Every evy. 

Excursion excn. 

Excuse ex. 

Express ex. 

Extra exa. 


140 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


Favor fvr. 

February Feb. 

Few f u. 

For r. 

Foreign forgn. 

Foreman 4man. 

Forward  . fwd. 

Free d h 

Free  of  general  average F G A. 

Free  of  particular  average F P A. 

Free  on  board fob. 

Freight frt. 

From fm. 

G. 

General  Baggage  Agent G B A. 

General  Freight  Agent  G F A. 

General  Passenger  Agent G P A. 

Get gt. 

Give  better  address g b a. 

Give  some  address g s a. 

Go  ahead g a. 

Go  ahead  arrival g a a. 

Go  ahead  departure g a d. 

Going gng. 

Gone  gn. 

Good gd. 

Good  afternoon p m. 

Good  evening g e. 

Good  morning g m. 

Good  night g n. 


ABBREVIATIONS 


141 


Gossips guff. 

Got  . . gt. 

Government govt. 

Grain grn. 

Great grt. 

Ground gnd. 

Ground  wire gw. 

Guaranteed  gtd. 

Guess gs. 

H 

Half .hf. 

Has hs. 

Have hv. 

Here hr. 

High hi. 

Hogshead  hhd. 

How hw. 

How  is hws 

Hundred hnd. 

Hundred  weight cwt. 

I 

Immediately immy. 

Important imp. 

Increase  inc. 

Instrument  inst. 

Invoice  inv. 

J 

January  Jan. 

Junction junc. 

Junior jr. 


142 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


K 

Knew nu. 

Know  no. 

Knows nos. 

L 

Last  month  u i x. 

Laugh ha  ha. 

Learn Irn. 

Leave Iv. 

Letter , Itr. 

Light  lite. 

Limited ltd. 

Loads  Ids. 

Local loc. 

Look  Ink. 

Loop  lup. 

M 

Made md. 

Main  mn. 

Majority maj. 

Make mk. 

Manager mgr. 

Manifold mfld. 

Manifest  mfst. 

Manufacturer mfr. 

Manufacturing mfg. 

Many mny. 

March  Mar. 

Marked mkd. 

Market mkt. 


ABBREVIATIONS 


143 


Matter  mtr. 

May  Ma. 

Merchandise mdse. 

Message msg. 

Messenger msgr. 

Might  mite. 

Mile mi. 

Million myn. 

Minute  min. 

Mistake msk. 

Mistaken mskn. 

Misses mrs. 

Mister mr. 

Months mos. 

Months’  date  m d. 

Months’  sight  m s. 

More mo. 

Morning am. 

Much mch. 


N 

Namely viz. 

Near  nr. 

Necessary neey. 

Never nvr. 

New nu. 

Next  month prox. 

Night  nite. 

Night  press  rate n p r. 

No  more  n m. 

None  between  n b. 

North  . . n. 


144  TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 

No  such  number n s n. 

Not nt. 

Nothing ntg. 

November Nov. 

Now  nw. 

Number no. 

Numbers  nos. 

O 

Obedient obt. 

O’clock  k. 

October  Oct. 

Of  o. 

Office  ofs. 

One  hundred 1 hn 

One  thousand  1 tnd. 

On  time  o t. 

Opening  opg. 

Operator opr. 

Opinion opn. 

Order  ord. 

Other otr. 

Our r. 

Out ot. 

Owner’s  risk or. 

P 

Package pkg. 

Paid  pd. 

Pair pr. 

Passenger pasgr. 

Pay pa- 


ABBREVIATIONS 


145 


Payment  payt. 

Pecks pks. 

Peoples peo. 

Pint pt. 

Per  centum o o. 

Per  mill o o o. 

Place  for  a seal Is. 

Please pis. 

Post  office p 0. 

Pound lb. 

Precinct pret. 

Preferred pfd. 

Present  month  inst. 

President prest. 

Principal prin. 

Prohibition  . . pro. 

Q 

Quart qt. 

Quarter qr. 

Quarterly quar. 

Question  qn. 

Quick qk. 

Quotation  qtn. 

R 

Railroad r r. 

Railway ry. 

Ready rdy. 

Rebate reb. 

Receipts  rects. 

Received reed. 


146  TELEGiBAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 

Receiving 

Reclining  

Refrigerator 

Release 

Relay 

Relief  

rf. 

Repeat 

Report 

Report  delivery  charges. . 

Republican  

Right  

Round  

s 

Said 

sd. 

Same 

Say  

Second 

Section 

seen. 

See 

See  former  order 

S f 0. 

See  former  service 

s f s. 

Seen 

See  your  service  

. . .'.s  y s. 

Sending 

September  

Service 

Several  

Should  

Siding 

Sight  

Sign  

ABBREVIATIONS 


147 


Signature  sig. 

Signed sined. 

Single  deck s d. 

Sir sr. 

Slow slo. 

Somehow smhw. 

Some sm. 

Some  one sm  1. 

Something  smtg. 

Somewhat smwt. 

Somewhere smwr. 

Soon  sun. 

South s. 

Speak spk. 

Special spl. 

Special  delivery  guaranteed spl  dely  gtd. 

Station  sta. 

Stay  sta. 

Stock  stk. 

Stop  for  breakfast  s f b. 

Stop  for  dinner s f d. 

Stop  for  night s f n. 

Stop  for  tea  s f t. 

Straight  strate. 

Street st. 

Superintendent  supt. 

Supper  supr. 

Suppose  spose^ 

Switch sw. 

System sys. 


148  TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 

T 

Take tk. 

Talk  tlk. 

Tariff  tff. 

Telegraph  tel. 

Telephone phone. 

Thanks tnx. 

That tt. 

That  is i e. 

The t. 

Their tr. 

Them  em. 

Then tn. 

There  tr. 

They ty. 

Thing tng. 

Think tnk. 

This ts. 

This  morning am. 

Though  tho. 

Thought thot. 

Thousand  tnd. 

Through thru. 

Tierce te. 

Today  tod  a. 

Together  togtr. 

Tomorrow  tomw. 

Tonight tonite. 

Took tuk. 

Track trk. 

Train  . . trn. 

Transfer tfr. 


ABBREVIATIONS 


149 


Travelling  Passenger  Agent  T P A. 

Trouble  tbl. 

Try  tri. 

U. 

Unchanged unchd. 

Undelivered undeld. 

V. 

Versus  vs. 

Very  vy. 

W 

Was ws. 

Water  wtr. 

Way wa. 

Way-bill  w b. 

Weather  . . ’wtr. 

Weight wt. 

West w. 

Wharf whf. 

What  wt. 

When wn. 

Where wr. 

While wile. 

Why wi. 

Who  wo. 

Will wi. 

With  wi. 

Word  wd. 

Work  wk. 

Worked  wkd. 

Would wld. 


150 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


Write 

Wrote 


Y. 

Yard 

Yards 

Year 

Years  

Yes 

Yes  sir  

Yesterday 

Yet 

You 

Young  

Your 


rite. 

. . . rote. 

....yd. 

yds. 

yr- 

yrs. 

es. 

....  esr. 
esterda. 

et. 

u. 

. . .ung. 
...  .ur. 


OPTION  MONTHS. 

P — January. 

G — February. 

H — ^March 
J — April. 

K— May. 

M — June. 

N — July. 

Q — August. 

U — September. 

V — October. 

X — November. 

Z — December. 


ABBREVIATIONS 


151 


PROVISION,  GRAIN  AND  STOCK  ABBREVIA- 
TIONS. 

In  the  transmission  of  quotations  of  stocks,  grain 
and  provisions,  a special  list  of  symbols  is  used; 
AE — Adams  Express. 

ACL — American  Coal. 

ACO — American  Cotton  Oil  Co. 

AD — American  District  Telegraph  Co, 

AM — American  Express. 

MX — American  Malting  Co. 

AMS — American  Spirits  Mfg.  Co. 

ASW — American  Steel  & Wire  Co. 

Sug — American  Sugar  Refining  Co. 

AC — American  Telegraph  & Cable  Co. 

AMT — American  Tobacco  Co. 

A — Atchison  Topeka  & Santa  Fe  R.  R. 

BO — Baltimore  & Ohio  R.  R. 

BSW — Baltimore  & Ohio  Southwestern  Ry. 

BG — Bay  State  Gas. 

BL — ^Boston  & New  York  Air  Line  R.  R. 

BE — ^Brooklyn  Elevated  R.  R. 

BRT — Brooklyn  Rapid  Transit  Co. 

BU — Brooklyn  Union  Gas  Co. 

BC — Burlington,  Cedar  Rapids  & Northern  R.  R. 
CA — Canadian  Pacific  Ry. 

CP — Central  Pacific  R.  R. 

JC — Central  R.  R.  of  New  Jersey. 

CO — Chesapeake  & Ohio  Ry. 

CEI — Chicago  & Eastern  Illinois  R.  R. 

GW — Chicago  Great  Western  Ry. 


152 


TELEGRAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


NW — Chicago  & Northwestern  R.  R. 

Q — Chicago,  Burlington  & Quincy  R.  R. 

CGL — Chicago  Gas  Light  & Coke  Co. 

Cl — Chicago,  Indianapolis  & Louisville  R.  R. 

ST — Chicago,  Milwaukee  & St.  Paul  R.  R. 

RI — Chicago,  Rock  Island  & Pacific  Ry. 

CM — Chicago,  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis  & Omaha 
R.  R. 

CHD — Cincinnati,  Hamilton  & Dayton  R.  R. 

CIN — Cincinnati,  Indianapolis,  St.  Louis  & Chi- 
cago R.  R. 

CC — Cleveland,  Cincinnati,  Chicago  & St.  Louis 
R.  R. 

CLW — Cleveland,  Lorain  Sb  Wheeling  Ry. 

CPI — Colorado  Fuel  & Iron  Co. 

CM — Colorado  Midland. 

Gas — Consolidated  Gas  Co. 

CGC — Consumer’s  Gas  Co.,  of  Chicago. 

C — Corn. 

DH — Delaware  & Hudson  Canal  Co. 

DL — Delaware,  Lackawanna  & Western  R.  R. 

D — Denver  & Rio  Grande  R.  R. 

DI — Duluth  & Iron  Range  R.  R. 

DS — Duluth,  South  Shore  & Atlantic  Ry. 

EJ — Elgin,  Joliet  & Eastern  Ry. 

E&P — Erie  & Pittsburg  R.  R. 

E — Erie  R.  R. 

PS— Federal  Steel  Co. 

S’X— Federal  Steel  Co.— Pfd. 

3rE — General  Electric  Co. 

IG — Kansas  City,  Pittsburg  & Gulf  R.  R. 

SW — Lake  Erie  & Western  R.  R. 


ABBREVIATIONS 


153 


LS — Lake  Shore  & Michigan  Southern  R.  R. 

L — Lard. 

L&N — Louisville  & Nashville  R.  R. 

Man — Manhattan  Ry.  Consolidated. 

MR — Metropolitan  Street  Ry. 

MXC — Mexican  Central  Ry. 

MC — ^Michigan  Central  R.  R. 

MST — Minneapolis  & St.  Louis  R.  R. 

MK&T — Missouri,  Kansas  & Texas  R.  R. 

M&B — Mobile  & Birmingham  R.  R. 

MO — Mobile  & Ohio  R.  R. 

MU — Mutual  Union  Telegraph  Co. 

BIS — National  Biscuit  Co. 

AB — New  York  Air  Brake  Co. 

Cen — New  York  Central  & Hudson  River  R.  R. 
N&W — Norfolk  & Western  Ry. 

NP — Northern  Pacific  Ry. 

NWT — Northwestern  Tel.  Co. 

O — Oats. 

O&M — Ohio  & Mississippi  Ry. 

OS — Ohio  Southern  R.  R. 

PM — Pacific  Mail  Steamship  Co. 

PA — Pennsylvania  R.  R. 

PO — People’s  Gas  Light  & Coke  Co. 

PD — Peoria,  Decatur  & Evansville  R.  R. 

RG— Philadelphia  & Reading  R.  R. 

PW — Pittsburg  & Western  R.  R. 

PST — Pittsburg,  Cincinnati,  Chicago  & St.  Louis 
Ry. 

PW — Pittsburg,  Ft.  Wayne  & Chicago  R.  R. 

P— Pork.  , 

PTC — Postal  Telegraph-Cable  Co. 

PU — Pullman  Palace  Car  Co. 

RGS — Rio  Grande  Southern  R.  R. 

RGW — Rio  Grande  Western  Ry. 

SR — Short  Ribs. 

SP — Southern  Pacific  Ry.  Co. 

SR — Southern  Ry. 


154 


TELEGEAPHY  SELF-TAUGHT 


TCI — Tennessee,  Coal,  Iron  & R.  R.  Co. 
TPC — Texas  & Pacific  Coal  Co. 

Tex — Texas  & Pacific  Ry. 

TC — Texas  Central  R.  R. 

TLT — Texas  Pacific  Land  Trust. 

TY — Toledo  & Ohio  Central  Ry. 

TPW — Toledo,  Peoria  & Western  Ry. 

KC — Toledo,  St.  Louis  & Kansas  City  R.  R. 
UP — Union  Pacific  R.  R. 

UX — United  States  Express. 

RW — United  States  Rubber  Co. 

W A— Wabash  R.  R. 

WP — ^Wells-Fargo  Express. 

WGS— Western  Gas  Co. 

W — Western  Union  Telegraph  Co. 

WX — Westinghouse  Electric  & Mfg.  Co. 
WS— West  Shore  R.  R. 

W— Wheat. 

WL — ^Wheeling  & Lake  Eire  Ry. 

Wis — Wisconsin  Central  Ry. 


CATALOGUE  OF 


FREDERICK  J.  DRAKE 
& COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS. 

352-356  Dearborn  St.  CHICAGO. 


I TPON  receipt  of  the  price,  any  book 
advertised  in  the  following  pages 
will  be  sent  by  mail,  postage  paid,  to 
any  Post  Office  in  the  United  States, 
Canada,  or  the  Universal  Postal  Union. 

As  to  our  financial  standing-,  we  respectfully 
refer  you  to  any  bank  or  business  house  in  Chicago. 

Not  Respopnsible  for  Money  or  Books  sent  by 
Mail,  unless  Registered. 

Parcels  will  be  registered  on  receipt  of  Ten  Cents 
in  addition  to  the  amount  of  the  order. 

No  orders  whatever  will  be  filled  unless  suf- 
ficient money  accompanies  them. 

Write  your  name  plainly. 

Give  full  Address,  with  Post  Office,  County  and 
■State. 

A complete  Descriptive  Catalogue  will  be  mailed 
free  on  application.  Send  for  it. 

We  will  be  pleased  to  consider  for  publication 
any  manuscripts  sent  us. 

We  desire  one  or  more  good  agents  to  represent 
our  books  in  every  county  in  the  United  States. 
Write  us  for  terms,  etc.  _ 


HOW  TO  SEND  MONEY. 

In  remitting  by  mail,  the  safest  means  are  a 
Post  Office  or  Express  Money  Order,  or  a Draft 
on  New  York  or  Chicago,  payable  to  Frederick  J. 
Drake  & Company.  When  these  are  not  procurable. 
Cash  may  be  sent  in  a Registered  Letter.  Unused 
United  States  postage  stamps  of  the  denomination 
of  ten  cents  or  under  will  be  received  as  cash  in 
amounts  less  than  one  dollar.  Soiled  stamps,  or 
stamps  other  than  those  of  the  United  States,  and 
personal  checks  or  drafts  on  local  banks  cannot  be 
accepted. 


CATALOGUE  OP  F.  J.  DRAKE  & CO. 


Frederick  J.  Drake  & Company's 

CATALOQUE  OF 

Standard  Up»to-Date  Hand  Books 
on  the  following  Subjects: 

Dialog^uesy  Recitations,  Tableaux, 

Charades,  Pantomimes,  Mock  Trials, 

Monologrnes,  Drills,  Marches,  Minstrel 
and  Entertainment  Books,  Magrlc, 
Palmistry,  Hypnotism,  Black  Art, 
Electricity,  Speakers,  Poultry, 
Letter  Writers,  Dream  Books, 

Fortune  Tellers,  Popular  Dramas, 
Photography,  Etiquette,  Dancing;, 

Etc.,  Etc.,  Etc.,  Etc. 


Each  book  in  this  list  is  the  work  of  a com- 
petent specialist,  and  will  be  found  reliable, 
practical  and  thoroughly  up-to-date. 


Any  Book  Advertised  in  This  Catalogrue  Sent, 
Postpaid,  on  Receipt  of  Price. 
FREDERICK  J.  DRAKE  & CO., 

352-356  Dearborn  St.,  Chlcag;o. 

SEND  FOR  COMPLETE  CATALOGUE. 


CATALOGUE  OP  P.  J.  DRAKE  & CO. 


DUTCH  DIALECT. 

Recitations,  Readings  and  Jokes,  as  told  by  our  fore- 
most vaudeville  stars,  Weber  and  Pields,  Rogers  Broth- 
ers, Marshall  P.  Wilder,  Ezra  Kendall,  Geo.  Puller 
Golden,  Gus  Williams,  £und  others.  Every  lover  of  Ger- 
man dialect  wit  and  humor  ought  to  procure  a copy 
of  this  new  and  up-to-date  book,  as  it  contains  the 
choicest  emanations  of  the  most  celebrated  and  re- 
nowned Dutch  comedians  and  humorists  of  the  present 
day.  Rip-roaring,  side-splitting  Dutch  dialect.  Hot 
humor  covers  its  many  pages,  and  comedians  and  ama- 
teurs who  wish  to  keep  an  audience  or  social  gathering 
in  a continuous  stream  of  laughter  and  merriment,  and 
receive  tumultous  applause  at  every  appearance,  will 
find  in  this  book  exactly  what  they  require. 


Paper  Covers  25  CENTS. 

Cloth,  Gold  Titles  50  CENTS. 


CHOICE  DIALECT  AND  VAUDEVILLE  STAGE 
JOKES. 

A New  Standard  collection  of  Readings,  Recitations, 
Jokes,  Gags,  and  Monologues  in  Irish,  Dutch,  Scotch, 
Yankee,  Prench,  Italian,  Spanish,  Chinese,  Negro,  and 
other  dialects,  representing  every  phase  of  sentiment 
from  the  keenest  humor  or  the  tenderest  pathos  to  that 
which  is  strongly  dramatic.  We  heartily  recommend 
this  book  to  amateurs  and  professionals  as  being  the 
Best,  Latest  and  containing  the  brightest  dialect  stories 
of  the  Vaudeville  stage.  It  is  full  of  ginger  and  un- 
like anything  before  published.  There  is  another  laugh 
in  you,  it  will  have  to  come  out  if  read. 


Paper  Covers  25  CENTS. 

Cloth,  Gold  Titles  50  CENTS. 


CONUNDRUMS  AND  RIDDLES. 

Collected  and  arranged  by  John  Ray.  This  is  the  latest, 
largest  and  best  collection  of  Conundrums  and  Riddles 
ever  published.  Containing  upwards  of  two  thousand 
choice  new  intellectual  Conundrums  and  Riddles 
which  will  sharpen  your  wit  and  lead  you  to  think 
quickly.  They  are  always  a source  of  great  amuse- 
ment and  pleasure,  whiling  away  tedious  hours  and 
putting  every  one  in  a general  good  humor.  Any  per- 
son, with  the  assistance  of  this  book,  may  take  the 
lead  in  entertaining  a company  and  keep  them  in  roars 
of  laughter  for  hours.  We  heartily  recommend  it  to 
Amateurs  and  professionals  for  entertainments  of  all 


kinds. 

Paper  Covers  25  CENTS. 

Cloth,  Gold  Titles  50  CENTS. 


Any  Book  Advertised  in  This  Catalogue  Sent, 
Postpaid,  on  Receipt  of  Price. 
FREDERICK  J.  DRAKE  & CO., 

352-356  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago. 

SEND  FOR  COMPLETE  CATALOGUE. 


4 


CATALOGUE  OF  F.  J.  DRAKE  & CO. 


TOASTS  AND  AFTER-DINNER  SPEECHES. 

Compiled  and  Edited  by  William  Young  Stafford. 
How  many  times  have  you  been  called  upon  to  re- 
spond to  some  toast  or  speech?  What  would  you  not 
give  for  the  ability  to  be  rid  of  this  embarrassment? 
This  book,  contains  Presentation  Speeches,  At  and 
After  Dinner  Speeches,  Political  Speeches,  Welcomes, 
Congratulations,  School  Commencement  Valedictories^ 
etc.  Also  toasts  and  welcomes  on  various  subjects. 
From  this  book  you  may  learn  some  lessons  that  will 
prove  profitable  when  called  upon  to  speak  or  respond 
to  some  toast  or  sentiment.  Send  for  a copy  and  pre- 
pare yourself. 

Not  only  is  it  valuable  to  the  novice,  but  the  experi- 
enced orator  will  find  many  good  suggestions. 


Paper  Covers  25  CENTS. 

Cloth,  Gold  Titles  50  CENTS. 


PATRIOTIC  READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


This  s the  choicest,  newest  and  most  complete  col- 
lection of  Patriotic  recitations  published,  and  include 
all  of  the  best  known  selections,  together  with  the  best 
uttrances  of  all  eminent  statesmen.  Selections  for 
Decoration  Day,  Fourth  of  July,  Washington  and  Lin- 
coln’s Birthdays,  Arbor  Day,  Labor  Day,  and  all  other 
Patriotic  occasions.  The  following  are  some  of  the 
many  choice  pieces  included  in  this  valuable  work: 


The  Battle  of  Santiago. 
Hobson’s  Daring  Deed. 
Gen.  Wheeler  at  Santiago. 
The  Flag  Goes  By. 

In  Manilla  Bay. 

My  Soldier  Boy. 

The  Yankees  in  Battle. 
The  Banner  Betsy  Made. 
The  Battle  Field. 
Washington’s  Name. 

The  Stars  and  Stripes. 
Our  Flag. 

Etc.,  Etc.,  Etc, 


That  Starry  Flag  of  Ours. 
Deeds  of  Valor  at  Santi- 
ago. 

The  Negro  Soldier. 

A Race  for  Dear  Life. 
Our  Country’s  Call. 
Patriotism  of  American 
Women. 

The  Roll  Call. 

Sinking  of  the  Merrimac. 
The  Fourth  of  July. 
Columbia. 

Etc.,  Etc.,  Etc. 


There  are  few  things  more  popular  during  National 
Holidays  than  entertainments  and  exhibitions,  and 
there  is  scarcely  anything  more  difficult  to  procure 
than  new  and  meritorious  material  appropriate  for 
such ' occasions.  This  book  will  fill  every  want. 

Paper  Covers  25  CENTS. 

Cloth,  Gold  Titles  ...50  CENTS. 


Any  Book  Advertised  in  This  Catalogue  Sent, 
Postpaid,  on  Receipt  of  Price* 
FREDERICK  J.  DRAKE  & CO., 

352-356  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago. 

SEND  FOR  COMPLETE  CATALOGUE. 


CATALOGUE  OP  P.  j.  DRAEB  & CO. 


6 


«COMIC  RECITATIONS’^  AND  READINGS. 

A New  Volume  of  Comic  readings  and  Recitations, 
compiled  and  edited  by  Wm.  Young  Stafford.  Many  of 
which  have  never  before  been  published  in  book  form. 
Its  contents  comprise  some  of  the  best  efforts  of  such 
world-renowned  humorists  as  Mark  Twain,  Joseph  Bil- 
lings Artemus  Ward,  Ezra  Kendall,  Bret  Harte,  Bill 
Nye,  Ben  King,  Geo.  Thatcher,  Lew  Dockstader,  Wm. 
S.  Gilbert,  James  Whitconib  Riley  and  others. 

This  is  an  unequalled  collection  of  the  most  amusing, 
eccentric,  droll  and  humorous  pieces,  suitable  for  reci- 
tation in  schools,  drawing-room  entertainments,  and 
Amateur  Theatricals.  It  would  be  impossible  to  find 
so  many  irresistibly  funny  pieces  in  any  other  tongue. 
They  range  from  the  most  refined  wit  to  the  broadest 
farcical  humor;  but  always  free  from  even  an  approach 
to  vulgarity. 

Paper  Covers  ..25  CENTS. 

Cloth,  Gold  Titles  50  CENTS. 

LITTLE  FOLKS’  SPEAKER. 

Containing  cute  and  catchy  pieces  for  recitations  by 
small  children  of  ten  years  and  much  younger,  includ- 
ing Speeches  of  Welcome  and  short  Epilogues  for 
opening  and  closing  Children’s  Eentertaihments.  The 
subjects  are  such  as  delight  the  infantile  mind  and 
the  language,  while  childlike,  is  not  childish.  All  of 
the  selections  are  new  and  fresh,  many  being  specially 
written  for  this  volume.  It  would  be  difficult  to  find 
another  collection  so  replete  with  short,  bright,  cheery 
printed  pieces  as  contained  in  this  book. 


Paper  Covers  25  CENTS. 

Cloth,  Gold  Titles  50  CENTS. 


DELIGHTFUL  ENTERTAINMENTS. 

With  programmes  for  amusements,  containing  parlor 
games;  charming  tableaux;  tricks  of  magic;  charades, 
and  conundrums;  curious  puzzles;  phrenology  and  mind 
reading;  hypnotism;  palmistry;  humorous  and  pathetic 
recitations,  dialogues,  etc.,  etc.  Including  etiquette  and 
the  art  of  entertaining,  the  whole  forming  a charming 
treasury  of  pastimes  for  the  home,  public  schools,  and 
academies,  lodges,  social  gatherings,  amateur  theatri- 
cals, Sunday-schools,  etc.  Beutifully  illustrated  with 
hundreds  of  fine  engravings.  Size  T^^xlO.  Elegantly 
bound  in  cloth,  with  emblematic  designs  in  gold  and 
inks.  350  double  column  pages;  clear  type. 

Price $1.75 


Any  Book  Advertised  in  This  Catalogue  Sent^ 
Postpaid,  on  Receipt  of  Price. 
FREDERICK  J.  DRAKE  & CO., 

352-356  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago. 

SEND  FOR  COMPLETE  CATALOGUE, 


e 


CATALOGUE  OF  P.  J.  DRAKE  & CO. 


HAVERLY>S  NEGRO  MINSTRELS. 

A complete  hand  book  written  to  encourage,  help  and 
guide  amateurs  in  their  efforts  to  form  troupes  and 
give  a successful  evening’s  performance.  An  entire 
program  is  arranged  with  full  details,  consisting  of  a 
first  part  with  the  brightest  dialogue  ■ between  “Tam- 
too,”  “Bones”  and  the  “Middleman;”  the  introduction 
of  ballads  and  songs,  etc.,  new  and  side-splitting  stump 
speeches  follow,  filling  the  interim  between  the  first  and 
• second  parts.  The  latter  suggests  the  usual  olio  per- 
formance of  dances,  banjo  solo  and  novelty  acts.  The 
entire  program  is  concluded  by  a.  fine  afterpiece  given 
bv  most  of  the  troupe. 

There  is  no  more  popular  and  successful  form  of 
public  entertainment  for  amateurs  than  negro  minstrel 
shows.  They  consist  of  music  and  fun  and  when  free 
from  vulgarity  are  bound  to  please  any  audience.  Mr. 
Jack  Haverly  was  one  of  the  most  widely  experienced 
men  on  the  minstrel  stage,  and  in  this  book  has  drawn 
on  his  stock  of  tried  features,  selecting  and  offering 
his  best  therefrom. 

Besides  arranging  the  program  and  giving  the  com- 
plete dialogue  for  the  same  from  the  rising  to  th^ 
falling  of  the  curtain,  Mr.  Haverly  has  prefaced  it  by 
short  chapters  on  “Make-up,”  “Dress,”  “Settings”  and 
some  very  helpful  general  remarks. 

The  additional  matter  in  the  way  of  gags  and  jokes 
makes  this  book  one  of  the  best  joke  books  published. 

Descriptions  of  how  to  walk  the  cake-walk,  and 
other  useful  matter,  all  of  which  makes  this  book  the 
most  complete  one  of  the  subject  ever  issued. 

Paper  Covers  25  CENTS. 

Cloth,  Gold  Titles 50  CENTS. 

PACIOLOGY. 

By  La  Vergne  Belden  Stevens,  L.L.B.  New  edition 
revised  and  enlarged.  Presenting  this  volume  to  the 
public  the  publishers  have  refrained  as  much  as  pos- 
sible from  being  too  scientific,  and  to  present  it  in  a 
clear  and  practical  form.  Each  chapter  is  profusely 
illustrated,  by  heads  and  faces  taken  from  photo- 
graphs from  life  of  the  most  famous  men  and  women 
who  are  noted  for  abnormal  developments,  good  or 
bad.  ■ If  you  want  to  know  Human  Nature  you  should 
procure  a copy  of  this  valuable  work. 


Any  Book  Advertised  in  This  Catalogue  Sent, 
Postpaid,  on  Receipt  of  Price. 
FREDERICK  J.  DRAKE  & CO., 

352-356  Dearborn  St.,  ChicagTO. 

SEND  FOR  COMPLETE  CATALOGUE. 


Paper  Covers  

Cloth,  Gold  Titles 


25  CENTS. 
,50  CENTS. 


